Coronavirus has impacted our lives in a multitude of ways, including bringing fears for students about the labour market they are going to enter. In a recent HEPI Policy Note, published in partnership with JobTeaser, we asked students whether the pandemic had changed their feelings about entering the workforce. For the majority (71%) the crisis hadn’t changed their view. For the group whose views had changed, we asked them to explain why. Many were concerned about their industries going quiet or losing opportunities. For some, the pandemic had taken their focus away from thinking about their future careers altogether: as one student put it: ‘[I] don’t want anyone I love to die. [I am] less focused on work’.
Reading through the responses, one theme stuck out: the experience of healthcare students, many of whom are preparing to enter the NHS during a pandemic. Tonight at 8pm we will again take to the streets to clap for our carers who are keeping the country safe. To represent the challenging circumstances faced by our student doctors and nurses, we wanted to give space on the blog today to the experiences of those individuals who have already, or will be, entering our healthcare system.
Many students reported feeling fearful about starting work and uncertain about what the future would hold:
As I’m a medical student it reiterates the sacrifices that doctors must make in their lives.
Fifth year female student
Working in healthcare, what will the long-term consequences of coronavirus be for the NHS?
Fifth year male student
Being a nurse in this pandemic is quite scary.
Third year female student
There is a lot of uncertainty in the medical field regarding foundation doctors’ roles and jobs.
Fifth year female student
Will be working in the NHS – uncertain how long term this will affect NHS.
Second year female student
I am a 5th year medical student, anxious to see what the state of healthcare will be when I graduate next year.
Fifth year male student
I’m doing Nursing so a lot more pressure and course may change with a lot of uncertainty.
Third year female student
I am a medical student so Coronavirus means things may be very different when I start working.
Fourth year female student
I’m training to be a nurse and [my feelings have changed] after hearing how NHS staff are being treated regarding the correct protection.
Second year female student
As a medical student will become a doctor – being a frontline worker during a pandemic has made me slightly anxious.
First year female student
I’m a student nurse and worried what I will entail.
Third year female student
As a student nurse my perception has changed significantly and I’m worried about the workload once I qualify.
Second year female student
I am a nurse! It is scary
Second year female student
Doctors are having a really hard time with the coronavirus outbreak.
First year female student
I’m due to qualify as a nurse this year. Enough said.
Third year male student
Students were also concerned about the impact of the virus on their qualifications and ability to get the level of experience required:
I will be working as a doctor but am missing placement now so don’t know how this will affect my graduation.
Fifth year female student
Have a job lined up but exams and qualification could be compromised by the virus as is in the healthcare setting.
Fourth year male student
Worried about the affect coronavirus will have on my training programme and its long-term effects on clinicians.
Fifth year female student
Study medicine and will therefore graduate as a doctor. NHS is doing an incredible job but it’s uncertain how long this pandemic will last the how will this impact on training programmes etc. within the NHS.
Fifth year female student
Nursing might change as a result, we might have much more expected of us now.
Second year female student
I am a student nurse so obviously the virus has hugely impacted this profession.
Third year female student
Will be joining the emergency register.
Third year female student
As I’m doing nursing a [lot] of changes have occurred to the course and course work and I’m unsure how this is likely to affect my future.
First year female student
For some students, the crisis has only strengthened their resolve to enter the healthcare system:
More passionate to enter healthcare.
Second year male student
I already wanted to be an epidemiologist but now I worry that there’ll be more competition.
First year female student
I’m a student nurse it’s made me realise just how valued the NHS [is].
First year female student
I really want to be a nurse but am studying something else.
Third year female student
While we consider how best to support all those students who may struggle to find work, given the difficult job market that lies ahead, it is also important that we don’t forget about the work of all those student healthcare workers, who are doing their bit to take care of those most in need, in these challenging times.