Students urged to consider healthcare careers through clearing

As thousands of students nervously await their A-level results on Thursday (15 August), the NHS is launching a campaign to highlight the many healthcare career options available through UCAS clearing.

The NHS said students reconsidering their choices after receiving their grades this week will still have access to a multitude of health professions, including nursing and midwifery.​

So far this year, 33,560 people in England have applied to study for a nursing degree and 7,290 have applied to become a midwife. But with plenty of spaces still available, there is still room for those who are undecided to join more than 420,000 people already in these professions.

Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: “Nursing is one of the most rewarding and diverse careers going and alongside midwifery, these professions offer people the chance to make a real difference to people’s lives every day.

“Thousands of students are already on track to start nursing and midwifery degrees this September, but for any students still deciding on their next steps or rethinking their original choices, I would urge you to consider applying for a healthcare course through clearing – it’s not too late."

He said that for those who don't want to go to university but want to work in healthcare, there are other "great routes" into the NHS. This includes a nurse apprenticeship which is an alternative route to obtaining a nursing degree.

Nursing is seen as one of the most wide-ranging and fulfilling careers, with over 50 different roles and specialties that students can explore while studying and after graduating, not just in hospitals but in clinics and other community settings.

Despite record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the NHS – up over 30,000 in a year – applications to nursing degrees have so far fallen slightly this year compared to last.