Image: Shutterstock/JDzacovsky Image: Shutterstock/JDzacovsky FINANCIALLY-STRAPPED STUDENT NURSES say the health system is putting them under financial pressure to work in multiple healthcare settings to earn money, despite the risk of Covid-19 cross-contamination and the potential danger it poses to patients.
Mary Hogan, a 21-year-old-year nursing student in University College Dublin, said: “The contamination comes from bringing it from one group to another, and that goes hand in hand with working in different environments.” The government on Wednesday night voted down a motion brought forward by opposition TDs that would have seen student nurses and midwives get paid for their placements during the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, student nurses can now apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.Hogan contracted Covid-19 while working part-time for a nursing agency alongside her college placement. She said that she feels she has to continue doing agency work now that she has recovered, despite the risks involved.
Hogan and the other student nurses say the HSE has not addressed the risks associated with their financial reliance on agency work during a pandemic. Many student nurses believe the healthcare system does not adequately oversee or supervise nurses working in different places. “I’m working in Holles Street this week and obviously I don’t want to put little babies at risk, so I’ve taken time off work,” she said. “That puts me under pressure [financially].”
“Student training is governed by three separate bodies: the university, the clinical placement and the Nursing and Midwifery Board, and each one of those say [testing and contact tracing] is the others’ responsibility,” she said.Katie, a third year student nurse who wishes to keep her surname and college anonymous, is currently on placement.
According to some students, there is an over-reliance on student nurses to fill gaps within staffing shortages. He said that some clinical placements refuse students who also work for agencies. Left in limbo, he sought clarification from the placement coordinator.
If the hospitals are overwhelmed, the student nurses should be compensated for any extra time beyond their learning shift. That's a win-win for our country, especially with so many medical staff getting sick.
Hodor
This was bollocks months ago so why is it not fixed. Easy one for good leaders
This article really highlights how the government’s contempt for student nurses has placed our entire healthcare system at risk. Great work!
There’s your Green Party for ya and their friends in FFG!
Risk of Spreading Covid? Dear God.
I think you need to be clear. They are working as nurse assistants rather than being student nurses. Student nurses shadow a nurse to learn new skills. These are currently making beds and doing nurse assistant jobs as there are no staff. They should actually all just go home.