As Nursing students, we are obliged to partake placement which is mandatory. However, due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus, universities and the NHS Chief Executive should reconsider sending students out to placement. 

During the peak of the Coronavirus outbreak, it has been advised by Public Health England to implement social distancing to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19. Many nursing students have compulsory placement in a weeks time, which goes against "social distancing" advised by PHE. The current outbreak has clearly shown an increase of positive cases and deaths caused from contracting COVID-19, which is set to increase in the upcoming weeks. Nurses and nursing students are very likely to be looking after a patient who may have undiagnosed COVID-19, where they are currently non-symptomatic and are in the incubation period. 

Nursing students who are not competently skilled, have already been told not to deal with patients with COVID-19. Therefore, being present will only lead to a higher chance of contracting the virus and passing it on to others. After working in a healthcare environment, where I am exposed to a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, the risk of cross contamination of this virus is very high. As many others, I myself have vulnerable family members to return to. If we lose, future nursing students may fear similar situations where their safety is not prioritised by universities and the government. This could change the minds of many in pursuing a career in nursing.

With this petition we hope universities will reconsider their decision on sending nursing student out to placement.