Hi, my name is Divanshi. I’m a third-year Adult Nursing student, Digby Stuart College President, and an international student at Roehampton. I chose nursing because I wanted to care, to grow, and to be part of something meaningful. And in many ways, that’s exactly what this journey has given me. But there’s another side to this experience, one that many of us don’t talk about enough.

Nursing education in the UK wasn’t always like this. Student nurses were once paid employees in hospitals. They learned on the job, but concerns were raised that they were being overworked and underpaid, with inconsistent learning opportunities. This led to Project 2000, which moved nursing into universities. The goal was to professionalise the role, combining academic knowledge with clinical placements where students would be “supernumerary”: there to learn, not to fill staffing gaps. It sounds ideal in theory. But in 2026, it’s worth asking honestly: Are we still supernumerary learners or are we part of the workforce without the recognition or pay?

On placement, many of us work long shifts, including nights and weekends. We take on real responsibilities, build relationships with patients, and contribute to care. These experiences are invaluable. This is where we truly become nurses. Placement is where confidence grows, where theory becomes real, and where we learn what textbooks cannot teach.

So yes, there are clear benefits: We gain hands-on experience in real clinical environments. We develop critical thinking, communication, and resilience. We graduate with the skills needed to provide safe, effective care. But there are also challenges we cannot ignore: Over 2,300 hours of unpaid placement across our degree. Limited time to take on paid work due to placement demands. Rising costs of travel, rent, food, and living. Physical exhaustion from long shifts. Emotional strain from balancing academic pressure with clinical responsibility. For many students, this isn’t just difficult, it’s unsustainable.

Some argue that placements should remain unpaid because we are students, not employees. That paying students could change the nature of learning, increase pressure, or reduce opportunities. Others argue that the reality has already shifted, that students are contributing to the NHS in meaningful ways and should be recognised financially, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. There isn’t a simple answer. But there is an important conversation to be had.

That’s where you come in. Are you a nursing or healthcare student? How has placement affected you financially, emotionally, and physically? Do you feel supported, or stretched beyond your limits? Do you think the system works, or does it need to change?

Roehampton Students’ Union is working with the University of Essex Students’ Union to support the Pay the Placement campaign. Together, they are collecting student experiences to build evidence and push for better support at a national level. Your voice matters not just as a student, but as part of the future of healthcare.

Share your experience through the RSU survey: Pay the Placement Survey
Sign the petition: Fund pay for student nurses and midwives for placement hours - Petitions,  if you believe change is needed.

Surveys and student feedback are more powerful than they might seem. They shape discussions, inform policy, and ensure that decisions are based on real experiences not assumptions. This isn’t just about pay.
It’s about sustainability and the future of the nursing workforce. So I’ll leave you with this:

What has your placement experience really been, and what do you think it should be?