Student nurses will be paid for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis

Well-deserved.

Minister for Health Simon Harris has confirmed that student nurses will be paid for their work during the duration of the Covid-19 crisis. The news was confirmed on Thursday evening, when the Minister announced that all student nurses and midwives will be offered contracts as Healthcare Assistants and be paid accordingly as a result. This process will allow students to complete their placement and continue to finish their course. Harris did stress that student nurses will be offered these contracts, and that they will not be made to accept. He said: "This is an offer and not an obligation. But I know so many of our student nurses want to play their role as we navigate our way through these difficult times. "Our healthcare professionals have shown immense leadership and I will do everything I can to support them." Student nurses who are interested are being asked to apply online through HSE.ie/oncall. This comes on the same day that people of Ireland are being encouraged to applaud the country's healthcare workers for one minute at 8pm. An update on Ireland's Covid-19 situation is expected at approximately 8.45pm tonight.