Rhonda Crockett’s story is one that all politicians should read. The former police officer and mother of five desperately wanted to be a nurse. Working alongside nurses during her time on the force, Rhonda was inspired to change career. But like so many of the students Nursing Standard has heard from since we launched our Charter for Change campaign, Rhonda simply could not survive on her bursary. In the end, a punishing schedule that required complex childcare arrangements, plus two part-time jobs, left a heartbroken Rhonda with no choice but to admit defeat.