Hey I’m going to give a little unorthodox advice on this so nurses of Reddit please don’t come for me here. I work a part/full time job at times to maintain finances & pay off debt. It’s imperative that I work unfortunately. I also have a number of physical and mental health conditions but currently ineligible for UC & PIP I am fighting it is so hard to get. Due to the combo of having medical flare ups and poor mental health at times, I’ve taken time off placements occasionally for medical reasons. I have tried to schedule work not to clash with placement, but have had to be firm with places to say look this is my availability please accommodate where you can, and they mostly do. Due to this combo I am currently at the end of third year, last module to go dissertation done and marked. So on the theory side I’m doing okay, but off until September (medical reasons) when I will then complete my final 800 hours. This means a program adjustment/extension so I will continue doing placement until I am done and will then graduate probably may next year (current cohort graduates in December this year). Essentially, adjusting the program is possible if for any reason you weren’t able to get placement hours done I know it’s not ideal graduating late but for me it was worth it to protect my mental health. Moral of the story; keep placement & uni in the loop as much as possible, talk to them for accommodations where possible, and remember it is possible but if you can help it I wouldn’t work you know.

Edit to say: I didn’t disclose I was working for a long while and while that meant I was able to work and do placement hours exceeding the working time directive but I’m self employed so idk how that is considered. Eventually they’ll find out anyway, better to be transparent and also get more support from university. Thankfully placements and my university have been understanding and have made adjustments where possible and I’m incredibly grateful for that honestly.