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Original poster

NHS nurse bursary the tories have promised...

24 replies

Timeforachangeofusername99 · 13/12/2019 07:28

Ok so, without trying to make this political, the tories have won and they promised to return the nursing bursaries. I have some first aid background and a big thing about helping people and am thinking this may be the time for me to knuckle down and get into the NHS.

Can anyone give me more details about how the training and bursaries work, costs involved, time etc?

Thank you

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 13/12/2019 07:30

I would imagine this will be quietly forgotten.

catlady3 · 13/12/2019 07:30

I don't anyone can know how that's going to work, if it even happens?

Tatty101 · 13/12/2019 07:33

Hi OP,

If it happens, it'll be a while before any details are announced (setting up a new government and kicking off policies can take months in a normal election never mind with Brexit looming!)

Some people may be able to talk to you about the previous regime of bursaries but unfortunately noone will know what a new system would look like.

Maybe keep an eye on the policies coming out in the next 6-12 months?

Good luck!

DonnaDarko · 13/12/2019 07:33

In the nicest way, I think you sound very naive.

Not all promises are kept. Unless they actually announce it at some point in the next 5 years, I don't believe it will happen.

Moomin8 · 13/12/2019 07:33

I think this promise will be like when Iain Duncan Smith 'promised' to let people have an easier transition to work from benefits.

ElluesPichulobu · 13/12/2019 07:40

if it happens it won't be for a few years yet. they have said they plan to invest in the nhs but the money isn't there till they "get Brexit done". Brexit is a process that will take years and until the details are worked out, the Tory theory that it could lead to more money in the pot is untested, unprovable and could be utterly wrong.

I would put nursing bursaries in the same category as these "20 new hospitals" that they posited - when you look at the nitty gritty you find they are only planning to do anything about it if (a) the economy booms in a joyful celebration of party Brexit confidence and investment (unlikely) and (b) they win the next election after this one, in 2024 presumably (the small print is that it's all about a 10 year plan)

TooStressyTooMessy · 13/12/2019 07:43

I wouldn’t make any plans until you see if it actually happens.

Redlocks28 · 13/12/2019 07:45

I do hope you didn’t vote Tory on this promise!

titchy · 13/12/2019 08:01

If you want to be a nurse why not apply with fee and maintenance loans? The maintenance loan gives you the same as the old bursary.

EvaHarknessRose · 13/12/2019 08:09

Hi OP, nursing is a three year degree as far as I know, so work on ensuring you meet the entry requirements (A Levels or access to healthcare qualification I think). It's a challenging job, especially in a challenged system, but rewarding and there will always be plenty of variety of jobs. Once qualified and experienced you can specialise or become a nurse prescriber with more qualifications. Also consider mental health nursing. I think they will need to revisit bursaries to keep numbers up, so fingers crossed for you.

Redlocks28 · 13/12/2019 09:17

Can anyone give me more details about how the training and bursaries work, costs involved, time etc?

No one will be able to give you any answers because they simply don’t exist at the moment.

Would you train if the bursaries are never implemented?

DamnShesaSexyChick · 13/12/2019 09:21

The maintenance loan will probably give you more money than the bursary would have done, it does for me, if you want to be a nurse look into it regardless of the bursary it's a wonderful degree and career.

TwattingDog · 13/12/2019 09:28

If they pony this up (unlikely), I'll also be retraining as a nurse. My mother was a Sister, and wouldn't let me go into it. I'm now 38, hate my job, and still want to go in to nursing.

It requires you to study a degree and work a lot of shifts in care settings. I could never afford to live and do this, so a bursary would make all the difference.

Lifeafte · 13/12/2019 09:56

Given they took it away I think it's highly unlikely they will introduce it back. They are talking of bringing nurses over from outside the EU. If they did u turn it wouldn't be anytime soon. They didn't promise to bring the bursary back just a £5000 payment I assume it will be repayable and tuition fees will still be charged. So on the basis it really doesn't help and was an unworthy promise. It was an off the cuff comment and never promised so I don't see it happening

Original poster
Timeforachangeofusername99 · 13/12/2019 10:44

I definitely did NOT vote Tory!

However I have wanted to work in healthcare for a long while now but am living on the bread line and cannot afford to do the training. I was hoping the bursary may be able to make it possible, and I haven't done much research yet. Thank you all

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 13/12/2019 10:46

was hoping the bursary may be able to make it possible, and I haven't done much research yet.

Well, there’s nothing really for you to research as it was just a throwaway comment.

bruffin · 13/12/2019 10:56

DD has turned down a Welsh NHS bursary because the maintenance loan was not enough to live on. Around 3k instead of over 5K she gets normal maintenance. It was the same with the previous nhs burser in England. Paying it back is paid the same rate as normal student loans ie 9% of salary over ,25k so it is only in the very long run you are actually better off ie maybe pay off the loan before the age of 55.

notanurse2017 · 13/12/2019 11:01

Op if you really want to be a nurse, go through the nursing apprenticeship route and get paid as you learn. This is available to you now and has been for some time

notanurse2017 · 13/12/2019 11:03

Ps do you know what nursing actually involves? It's a bit more than first aid...

titchy · 13/12/2019 12:52

Do the research then. You'll probably find you'll get £9k a year in maintenance plus childcare and housing costs and maybe other benefits as well.

Bit silly assuming the bursary is the only thing you'd get if it existed Hmm

EvaHarknessRose · 18/12/2019 11:31

Here you go OP or anyone else following - new (but less generous) bursaries announced from September (you pay fees but get £5000 a year rising to £8000 in some circumstances)

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nursing-bursaries-return-in-bid-to-ease-nhs-staff-crisis-grs58xgtq

BarbaraFromOopNorth · 18/12/2019 19:10

Op, look at nursing apprenticeships. Our Trust are desperate for nurses so it is very easy for the HCAs to work their way up to become trained nurses. It does take a little longer than conventional training but I would recommend becoming an HCA first. Nursing isn't for everyone.

fedup21 · 19/12/2019 13:27

I wonder if they will bring back bursaries for any other NHS roles-midwifery, speech therapy etc?

Isawthathaggis · 19/12/2019 13:34

I believe the nursing burseries are still available in Scotland, you know the place? It’s where they didn’t vote Tory.

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