How To Earn Money When You’re Studying To Be A Nurse

"As a student Nurse you should always research what discounts are available before you buy anything!"

If you’re thinking about studying Nursing but worried about what your finances might look like, our guide breaks down the costs, support, and discounts available to a Student Nurse.

Topics covered in this article

Introduction

What Are Your Costs As A Student Nurse?

Can You Still Get A Bursary As A Student Nurse?

What Other Financial Support Is Available?

What Part-Time Work Do Student Nurses Normally Do?

Take Advantage Of Student Nursing Discounts

Learn More From An Experienced Nurse

Introduction

Becoming a Nurse offers a pathway to a hugely exciting and rewarding career.

Few other careers offer the same level of security, or the range of long-term career options.

And although it’s not a job for the faint-hearted, it is a job to be proud of – especially in light of the challenges Covid-19 has brought upon us.

But the three years of study and training required to register as a Nurse in the UK places financial pressure on all students.

Here’s a brief guide to managing those financial challenges, and how to earn money while you study.

What Are Your Costs As A Student Nurse?

Being an aspiring Nurse can unfortunately be expensive.

The cost of student fees can be up to £9000 a year, which is the biggest expense you’ll face.

Beyond this, your regular costs will include:

• Rent, assuming you’re not living with parents.

This can vary widely but on average could be somewhere between £300 and £500 a month

• Utility bills, which might total £100 a month

• Transportation costs, both to the care setting in which you’ll practice and your university

• Food and clothing

• Books, learning materials, and other costs relating to your studies

It’s worth doing some budgeting well in advance of starting your course to get a clear idea of how much money you will need.

This will help to inform the kind of loan you apply for, and how much part-time work you might need to undertake.

Can You Still Get A Bursary As A Student Nurse?

As of September 2020, bursaries are available again for student Nurses.

Back in 2015, then chancellor George Osborne announced that the nursing bursary, which offered Student Nurses at least £10,000 a year in funding, would be scrapped from 2016.

All Student Nurses now get a £5000 a year maintenance grant, and those working in an area suffering major shortages receive a further £1000.

There’s an additional childcare allowance of £2000 on offer too.

It’s not quite as generous as the previous bursary, but it will still make a significant dent in your annual expenses.

To be clear, these are grants and are not repayable.

What Other Financial Support Is Available?

Student Nurses still have access to student loans, through the Student Loans Company.

In addition, funding for things like childcare and travel expenses can be accessed through the Learning Support Fund.

So-called ‘Hardship Funds’ are also widely available from most universities that offer nursing courses, which are reserved for students in the greatest financial need.

There are also a number of charities that offer funding for relevant applicants, or even full scholarships.

What Part-Time Work Do Student Nurses Normally Do?

There are a number of different opportunities available for Student Nurses to earn some much-needed money.

Many students take work as Healthcare Assistants or similar roles.

Broadly speaking, these positions are abundantly available, and normally on a part-time or flexible basis.

In many cases they can be accessed through an NHS Trust’s bank or an agency.

Furthermore, this is the ideal kind of work for a Student Nurse as you’ll spend your shifts working with qualified Nurses, which will only aid your knowledge and experience.

If your shifts are on evenings or weekends, you’re likely to earn a higher rate of pay too – which might also fit well around your full-time studies.

Otherwise, working at bars and cafes, or opportunities through universities, are also very common.

There are also other support roles available within the NHS and private settings, including cleaners, porters and carers.

Whatever you choose to do, you’re likely to encounter other student Nurses working in a similar capacity – and any healthcare related work will look great on your CV.

Take Advantage Of Student Nursing Discounts

As a Student Nurse there is a huge range of discounts available on all kinds of products and services.

Once you’ve got hold of your student ID, you’ll get discounts on:

• Council tax

• Utility bills

• Mobile phone contracts

• Bars and restaurants

• Cinema and theatre tickets

• Clothes

• Dentists and other health services

• Gym memberships

• Holidays

• Train fares through the student railcard

This is only a snapshot of what’s available.

As a student Nurse you should always research what discounts are available before you buy anything!

Learn More From An Experienced Nurse

For more tips and information on becoming a Nurse, check out this guide written by a vastly experienced Adult Nurse.

Let me know in the comments your thoughts on student finances or any tips for earning some extra cash  - let's chat there!

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