LISTEN: "The pandemic is scary and overwhelming, I'm a mother...but I am also a nurse", says new student nurse on frontline

by Gráinne Connolly

Over 600 final year nursing and midwifery students have entered the health and social workforce early this week, to help fight against COVID-19. 

These students from Ulster University, Queen's and Open Universities, who are in the last six months of their course, have opted to take their final clinical placement now to support other workers on frontline during the pandemic. 

Nursing and midwifery students will retain their student status but are entering the NHS/HSC in a paid capacity. 

Tonya Webb, Ulster University student at Magee has been deployed to the Western Trust. 

She told Q Radio although she never expected to enter the workforce early, she felt obligated to try and help frontline workers during the crisis. 

"It is very scary and overwhelming but the pandemic is scary and overwhelming. 

"I'm a mother of three children so I am scared for them, scared for my wider family but I am a nurse as well and you almost feel obligated to step up." 

"It was never a question whether I would opt in or opt out but I am delighted I have. 

"We need to preserve our NHS and by us coming out early we have added man power and will hopefully reduce the number of deaths."

(Full interview with Tonya Webb below)

Tonya said, "I am proud of myself, but I am also proud of every student who has decided to opt in or opt out. 

"It wasn't an easy decision for any of us, either way. 

"We are all playing our part in this including the people staying at home watching the children who aren't at school. 

"Sometimes we are not brave but we're going to pretend we are and we're going to do it anyway."

Meanwhile, Chief Nursing Officer Professor Charlotte McArdle paid tribute to the nursing and midwifery students: 

“It is highly commendable that our nursing and midwifery students are embracing the opportunity to help at this time of great need.

"As senior students I know they have much to offer and will be a valuable asset to our HSC system. I wish to extend a personal thank you to all nursing and midwifery students and assure them of my full support as they rise to this challenge.” 

Professor Sonja McIlfatrick, Head of School of Nursing at Ulster University commented:

“We are so proud of our final year nursing students for stepping up during this global health crisis to join the fight against Covid-19. 

"Entering the workforce early, they will be using the skills and knowledge they have learned at Ulster to work alongside colleagues and frontline HSC staff to deliver high quality patient care.” 

Professor Donna Fitzsimmons, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University, said: 

“Queen's is committed to helping in whatever way possible to fight COVID-19 and its spread. 

"We are incredibly proud of our nursing and midwifery students who have stepped up to assist in this challenge by entering the workforce early to provide much-needed support for the HSC during these difficult few months.”