Support for student nurse Covid-19 heroes

Student nurses who joined the frontline to help battle Covid-19 are receiving support through the University of Stirling’s partnership with Santander Universities.

As part of the UK and Scottish Government emergency response to the pandemic, almost 400 student nurses from the university volunteered to fulfil their placements as paid members of NHS staff, while continuing to work towards their degrees. During their placements, students have received support from Student Support Services, the Students’Union, and the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport. This support has been bolstered by funding received from Santander Universities and has led to the creation of an online support platform for third-year student nurses.

As some are on placement outwith Forth Valley, the platform ensures that students – regardless of where they are working or learning

– can access relevant support.

Under normal circumstances, Stirling uses the £75,000 it receives to support enterprise, employability and education initiatives.

However, with Covid-19 restrictions impacting these activities, Santander agreed that some of the funding could be redeployed as further support for student nurses.

Professor Gerry McCormac, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said:“I am incredibly proud of the response of our students and staff to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Four hundred of our student nurses have joined the frontline to support the NHS and make a difference at this unprecedented and challenging time.

“We prioritise the health and wellbeing of our community and are extremely grateful to Santander Universities for providing this funding.”