To: The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England

We, the undersigned, Nursing Associate students, humbly and respectfully appeal for fairness and recognition of our role within the future of the NHS. We are proud to dedicate ourselves to a career in healthcare, working hard to prepare for the demands of this critical profession. However, the absence of NHS bursary support has created an overwhelming financial barrier that threatens to hinder our progress and the future of the vital role we are training to fulfill.

We approach you with compassion and trust, knowing the government and NHS want to see the healthcare workforce grow and thrive. We are not asking for more than what is fair—we are asking for the opportunity to succeed and contribute fully to the NHS.

Our Role: The Bridge Between Carer and Nurse:

The Nursing Associate role was created to address shortages and improve patient care, bridging the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. We are stepping into this vital position, prepared to take on the responsibility of delivering compassionate, hands-on care.

In our first year alone, we are required to complete:

 • 512 hours of clinical placement alongside professional teams, providing direct patient care.
 • 276 hours of simulation training, preparing us for the realities of healthcare.

This is the same as what first-year bachelor’s nursing students are required to do. We put in the same hours, the same dedication, and the same commitment. Yet, while other nursing students receive NHS bursary support, we are excluded. This exclusion doesn’t reflect the effort we invest or the value we bring to the healthcare system. It is important to emphasize that while this course is a two-year foundation degree, it is still a Level 4 qualification. Just because we are completing a foundation degree does not mean our hard work should be overlooked or disregarded.

Why We Deserve NHS Bursary Support:

We Carry the Same Burden as Other Nursing Students, Nursing Associate students face the same challenges as bachelor’s degree nursing students. We pay the same £9,250 in tuition fees, complete the same intensive placement hours, and dedicate ourselves fully to patient care and academic excellence. Our work is equally essential, and our future roles are critical to the NHS. It may be a two-year degree, but those completing a top-up to achieve their nursing degree will carry an even greater student loan burden.

We Are Not Apprentices, We Have No Financial Backing:

Unlike apprentices, we have no employer providing us with a salary or covering our costs. We are full-time students, fully committed to our education and placements, yet financially unsupported.
 We Face Unique Financial Challenges:
Nursing Associate students come from diverse backgrounds, often facing significant financial struggles:

 • Single parents juggling childcare, placement, and study without adequate support.
 • Students from low-income households making incredible sacrifices just to stay in the program.
 • Caregivers who are balancing responsibilities at home and in their studies etc.

The lack of NHS bursary support leaves many of us relying solely on student loans, which are barely enough to cover rent, travel to placements, childcare, and essential living costs. For many, this financial strain is simply unsustainable. And this is more than just individual financial circumstances—it reflects broader systemic challenges that put Nursing Associate students at a disadvantage.

The Bright Future We Represent:

We are not just students; we are the future of the NHS. We are the hands and hearts that will care for patients, the bright minds that will bring fresh energy and dedication to the healthcare workforce.

The Nursing Associate role is a vital link in patient care. Without us, the strain on both carers and registered nurses will only increase. By supporting us now, you are investing in a sustainable, compassionate, and capable healthcare system that will benefit the NHS and its patients for years to come.

A Plea for Fairness and Recognition:

We approach this with humility and respect, but also with a deep sense of urgency. We understand that the NHS bursary was created to support nursing students because the demands of this profession require financial assistance.

Our request is simple: extend the NHS bursary to Nursing Associate students.
 • We are completing the same placement hours and providing the same level of dedication as first-year nursing students.
 • We are not asking for more than what is fair; we are asking for recognition and support to ensure we can complete our studies and contribute to the NHS.

Without this support, many talented, passionate students will be forced to step away—not because they lack the drive, but because they simply cannot afford to continue. This is a loss the NHS cannot afford, especially during a time when every healthcare worker plays a crucial role in the system’s future.

Why This Matters to us:

By granting us NHS bursary support, you are not just helping us as individuals—you are strengthening the NHS as a whole. You are ensuring that the healthcare system benefits from the dedication, compassion, and hard work of students who are ready to give everything to make a difference.

We are committed to this path. We are ready to work tirelessly to meet the demands of placements, academic study, and the future of this profession. All we ask is that you meet us halfway, providing the financial support that reflects the value we bring to the NHS and the future of patient care.

Please help us continue this journey. Please invest in us, as we are investing in the NHS and its future.

This petition was thoughtfully crafted by Shamsa Omar and Siham Abdi, first-year Nursing Associate students at University College Birmingham .