I'd like some opinions on this.

[Shonajoy]

My dd (19) started her nursing degree this year. We were delighted to find out that she gets a non repayable bursary of nearly £7000 a year, non means tested. The college say this is because a lot of the time students will be away from home doing placements, and therefore won't be able to have part time jobs as a result. She's just been told she's going to a Hebridean island for her first placement, for a month, which both she and I are delighted with. However, it's apparently come about as two others who were given the placement can't take time off work or have childcare issues. I'm now concerned she's going to end up being sent back to the three rural placements they do, when I'd much rather she had wider experience. I'm not going to get involved of course, she's an adult, but I do feel a bit miffed that people are expecting to be able to pick and choose where they go- I've told her she mustn't ever refuse a placement as its not up to her.

If they can reject a placement for childcare issues, then she can reject a placement for already having done a rural location. Their childcare issues are not her problem and the course leader should offer her a wide experience.

I don't think they are so much picking and choosing their placement just they can't go that far because of their circumstances. But I see your concerns about your dd being sent to places others can't/won't go to. When the time comes can she request she be sent somewhere different as she's already worked in a remote environment and would like other experience?
Though tbh you don't know where she'll be sent next.

I have also just started my nursing degree. To meet the EU directives she will have to have a variety of placements. Do not worry about this at all.

Her placement sounds great, she will learn loads there.

Ooh good mammatj I was worried she would keep being sent back to the less popular ones. That's good to know, as I want her to experience as many different settings as possible.

I don't want her rejecting any placements though- to me, you accept what you're given, that's why the bursary. I think it's unreasonable to refuse a placement, while taking a full bursary which is quite generous. I don't know why you'd start a course you know you can't physically do? I also don't want her being labelled as difficult, for rejecting placements.

Well, us mums need to have a chance to do the degree too.

A lot of the people at my uni have been given very unrealistic placement areas, not just individual placements. Think living in city A and being given placements in Town B 100 miles away.

I have to travel for uni, but my placements are fairly local to me.

They really do have to mix it up. She will be fine.

As someone who did ahp placements, children got a minimial consideration. Tho yoou were told you knew you had children before the course.

Those who got pregnant during got a bit more consideration.

Those with jobs got laughed at.

The mix is very much there. If she finds she is getting all the far away ones a quick email to the uni pointing it out and asking for it not to happen again sorts it easily.