University bosses say they plan to meet with students as a “matter of urgency”.
Student nurses at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) have been left unable to qualify on time due to a university “error” in calculating their placement hours.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires student nurses to undertake 2,300 hours of clinical practice alongside 2,300 hours of guided education during their training.
CCCU says that an “error” in calculating clinical placement hours has been made by the university.
The blunder has left the final-year student nurses at the university, many already who have jobs and start dates, upset and confused about their future.
University bosses say they plan to meet with students as a “matter of urgency” but students will be required to make up the shortfall in hours.
Some students may be required to undertake a further 8 weeks of placement time equating to around 300 hours.
It comes just months after the nursing regulator pulled the university’s midwifery degree amid safety fears.
An error in calculations.
A student on the course told NursingNotes she was worried her new employer would not wait for her to qualify and pull her job offer.
She said, “Our jobs are now potentially on the line and it is looking like we may not qualify until December or January. Everyone is very upset and worried about how they are going to pay their bills, rent or mortgages.”
A spokesperson from CCCU explained, “Due to an error in our calculation of students’ clinical practice hours since the Covid pandemic, we have uncovered a shortfall in their completed placement hours.
“This has been reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidance (NMC).
“We have apologised to our students for this oversight and are meeting with them as a matter of urgency to discuss the practical consequences.
“The majority of our students will be able to make up the shortfall in hours during the continuation of their studies. However, final year students will be required to undertake additional placement hours prior to the completion of their studies.”
“The number of hours that need to be made up varies across courses and circumstances, but we expect it to be no more than 8 weeks for any of the final year students,” they added.
