Nursing students urge others to have their say in general election

Nursing students in the UK have said they are 'the future of the health service' and urged other students to vote in tomorrow's general election

Edinburgh Napier university second year adult nursing student and RCN student committee member Ellie Mulreany said it was important for students to vote.

'Talk to mentors and staff nurses and carers – but most importantly, show up at the polling station. And vote.

‘As students, we are the future of the health service in the UK,' said Ms Mulreany.

'Fight for it'

'We are coming into the profession at a time where morale is at an all-time-low, pay continues to be capped and is one of the lowest graduate salaries, where staff are leaving in droves.

‘The only way we will even have a health service to work in after training, is if we fight for it.’

University of Salford third year children's nursing student Leanne Monaghan said she believed 'everybody who is able to should vote'.

She said: 'It is important we have a say in who governs our country as it effects every one of us.

'I will be voting for the policies that save our NHS, I want to know that I have not spent three years training to be a children's nurse, to end up working for a private firm, as the true NHS has been sold off.'

Rights protection

Ms Monaghan added that another reason to vote was to protect the rights of European Union NHS workers, many of who she said helped keep services at working capacity.

London South Bank University second year children’s nursing student Dann Gooding said he was not happy with the current government.

Mr Gooding said: ‘I am voting because the NHS – which I am proud to be a part of – is being broken down bit by bit.

'Taking a hit'

‘The profession that I love is taking a huge hit and the current government doesn't seem to care.

‘Nursing is in crisis, it's time for safer staffing, better working conditions and fairer pay.

‘Social care has been ignored which is leading to unnecessary harm, and with the closure of Sure Start centres, child health inequality is on the rise – it's abhorrent.’

City University London children’s nursing student Louise Robinson said: 'I will be voting because working in any public service, like our NHS, means the actions of the government directly impact our work and the services we provide.

Voting for the future

Ms Robinson, who is in her first year of study, added: ‘As a prospective children's nurse, I will be voting with the future of health, education and family services in mind.’

In May, a Facebook poll by Nursing Standard on the RCN Students' group showed 85.2% of the 706 respondents intended to vote Labour in the upcoming general election. 

The group has more than 18,000 members, made up of nursing students, registered nurses and others. One vote was allowed per Facebook profile.

King’s College London Nursing and Midwifery Society president Anthony Johnson, who is in his final year of adult nursing, said he had decided to vote Labour.

Mr Johnson explained: I’m voting for Labour because I believe we need a prime minister who takes our opinions on board, wants to fund, renationalise and improve upon our health services and give NHS students and staff what they deserve for their stressful and ever complex roles.

‘With Jeremy Corbyn and a member-led Labour Party we have a chance to protect our NHS, I suggest all nurses vote Labour.'

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