Student Hub News

News and Events

13 February 2026 

RCN webinar recording for all nursing students: A fireside chat with Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England   

The RCN has partnered with NHS England to bring you an inspiring new webinar series dedicated to supporting and empowering the next generation of our nursing profession.  

 In the first webinar of our ‘Inspiring Conversations’ series, South East RCN Student committee representative Mary Bichard interviewed Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, as he shared his career journey and provided valuable insights to help you progress on your own nursing path.      

Watch now here: Inspiring Conversations: A Fireside Chat with Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England 

25 February 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 | Online

Starting your nursing career in social care: A practical ‘how to’ approach   

This upcoming webinar, delivered by Skills for Care in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing, explores the diverse opportunities available for nurses in social care. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what working in social care really means and the session will provide: 

• Insight into social care nursing roles and why they matter.
• Practical guidance on finding vacancies and making successful applications.
• Guidance from employers about preceptorship programmes and support for newly registered nurses.
• Real-life advice from nurses who’ve successfully built their careers in social care.

Visit the events page and book your place today.

22 December 2025

Join NHS England senior leaders at 10 Year Workforce Plan webinar 

NHS learners and educators are invited to a webinar on the 10 Year Health Plan and forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan.  

Designed to keep you up to date with relevant information from NHS England, the session will outline the key themes in the 10 Year Health Plan, update on work to develop the associated workforce plan, and consider the workforce implications of delivering the government’s three shifts. 

This is an opportunity to hear from, and pose your questions to, senior leaders at NHS England, including co-chairs Professor Simon Gregory, Medical Director, Integrated and Primary Care and Dr Adrian Brooke, Medical Director, Workforce Alignment. Giles Denham, Interim Director of Workforce Strategy and Planning, will be lead speaker for the session, supported by colleagues.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday 7 January at 3:30pm. 

Register your place now. 

26 November 2025

Shape your future by joining the national student shared decision-making council 

Do you want to champion the student voice and influence what matters to you? 

If you’re a student from a nursing, nursing associate and midwifery programme, you can make an impact on future decision-making by joining the National Nursing and Midwifery Student Shared Decision-Making Council.  

The council, which will meet quarterly, is an opportunity to influence change, develop transferrable skills and champion equity, diversity and inclusion.  

As a student, you represent the future of the healthcare workforce and this is an exciting way to shape it. 

Learn more and sign up via the student council webpage. 

07 November 2025

RCN and NHS England launch 'Inspiring Conversations' for student nurses 

NHS England and the Royal College of Nursing have successfully launched their new 'Inspiring Conversations' webinar series, designed to support and inspire student nurses and nursing associates across England. 

The inaugural webinar on 4 November featured a fireside chat with Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, who shared insights from his nursing journey and provided career guidance to attendees. Students sent in questions ahead of and during the session, which were brought to life by Mary Bichard, MSc adult and child nursing student at University of Southampton. They spoke about professional development, student concerns and diverse career pathways available. 

The session attracted interest from nursing students nationwide. Duncan Burton reflected on the webinar: “The conversation with Mary and questions submitted by students reflected great enthusiasm, curiosity and an incredible commitment to nursing – some of the many reasons why I'm so optimistic about the future of our profession.” 

In addition to his own advice and journey, Duncan covered the 10-Year Health Plan, the Professional strategy for nursing and midwifery, Student Hub, and the National Education Training Survey, alongside wellbeing support available to students. 

A recording will be made available shortly for those unable to attend. Planning is underway for the next session in early 2026, which aims to raise the profile of nursing careers across health and social care and provide direct access to senior nursing leaders. 

9 October 2025 

RCN webinar for all nursing students: A fireside chat with Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England 

NHS England has partnered with the RCN to bring nursing students an inspiring new webinar series dedicated to supporting and empowering the future of nursing.  

Join the webinar on 4 November at 17:30 - 18:30, for ‘Inspiring conversations: A fireside chat with Duncan Burton’. RCN students will interview Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, as he shares his career journey and provides valuable insights to help students progress in their own nursing path. This is an opportunity for all nursing students. 

7 October 2025 

Have Your Say: Complete the National Education and Training Survey (NETS)!​

​NHS England is committed to enhancing the quality of education and training for over 250,000 learners and trainees across a variety of clinical roles in the NHS. To support continuous improvement, we conduct the National Education and Training Survey (NETS) each year, offering a platform for healthcare learners and trainees to share their experiences and shape the future of healthcare education. ​

Since 2019, NETS has been the only national survey open to all healthcare students, trainees, and apprentices. The survey covers key themes like induction, clinical supervision, facilities, learning opportunities, and teamwork.​

​Your feedback helps us make informed decisions to enhance learning environments, support retention and recruitment.​

​Take 10 minutes to share your experiences! The survey is open from Tuesday 7 October to Tuesday 2 December 2025.

2 October 2025 

Survey deadline extension – help define the next era of nursing and midwifery in England by 13 October 

The deadline for the survey that will inform the Professional strategy for nursing and midwifery in England has been extended. Registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates, and nursing and midwifery students across England will now have until 13 October to share their views, experiences and hopes for the future. The strategy will set out a compelling, long-term future vision for the professions, recognising the vital role nursing and midwifery colleagues have in transforming health and care to meet the needs of our changing population. 

The strategy will also set out how all colleagues can be supported throughout their careers, reflecting the breadth and diversity of roles and ensuring nursing and midwifery are modern careers of choice for more people and will be for all nurses, midwives and nursing associates in England – wherever they work and at all stages of their careers. 

Complete the survey by Monday 13 October.

23 September 2025 

Register for the second online Mental Health Nursing Symposium: good practice, innovation and the 10-Year Health Plan 

Aimed at mental health nurses and students, the Mental Health Nursing Symposium on 5 November between 09:30-15:00, will celebrate excellence and look into the future of the mental health nursing profession, focusing on education, training, innovation and the 10-year Health Plan.  

The agenda will cover topics on: 

• AI in health care
• dual qualifications
• emerging themes in the workforce
• 10 ward round standards
• physical health in mental health
• nurse education and more.   

Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025 

Time: 09.30-15:00  

Register at: The 2nd Mental Health Nursing Symposium | NHS England Events 

12 September 2025 

New social care nursing forum for students and early career nurses

Join the Nursing and Nursing Associate Social Care Student and Early Careers Network - connecting student and registered nurses and nursing associates passionate about or wanting to learn about social care. Benefit from peer support, career and professional development opportunities and networking with like-minded professionals across England.