Almost all nursing students are concerned about their financial situation, with more than half reducing spending on food or bills to manage the cost of living crisis, according to a survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Survey Reveals Widespread Financial Strain
The poll, which gathered responses from 2,504 nursing students across the UK, found that 95% are worried about their finances. Of these, 56% have cut back on essentials such as food, heating, or electricity. A third (34%) reported being short by over £500 at the end of each month, forcing them to either reduce essential spending or go into debt.
The RCN warned that the crisis risks “choking off the supply of nurses at the source,” as nursing degrees become increasingly unaffordable. One student told the union they face a “lifetime of debt” for pursuing a career in nursing.
Students Forced to Make Difficult Choices
Joshua Parker-Walsh, a second-year adult nursing student at Birmingham Newman University, shared his experience: “To make it work we’ve cancelled all our direct debits, including for electricity and heating, and then we pay what we can afford when the money comes in. Our priority is our mortgage, food and our kids. But we’ve now had emails from the electricity company threatening to send someone round to the house.”
Elektra Ellis, a second-year adult nursing student at the University of Lancashire, said: “I originally studied in Plymouth, but I had to drop out because I just couldn’t afford to live, even while working three days a week as a Health Care Assistant on the side. My mental health was in the gutter from the lack of support and I had to leave. Now I study at a different university, but I still think about money every single day. I limit how many washing loads I put on to keep the bills down. I have two credit cards and it’s the norm for students to have at least one. You see the petrol prices go up and you have no idea where that money is going to come from. We’re all paying to be here and are facing a lifetime of debt, with additional interest now.”
Many Consider Quitting
The survey also found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of nursing students have considered quitting their studies, up from 46% in the previous survey. The top reasons cited include balancing paid work and study (71%), stress and mental health challenges (64%), and financial difficulties (63%).
RCN Calls for Enhanced Support
Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “Nursing students are the future of the NHS workforce, but this is a crisis that risks choking off the supply of new nurses at the source. It is abhorrent that anyone should have to go without food or heating, be pushed into debt, or struggle to have enough for their children, let alone those who want a future in nursing. University should be about learning, gaining experience and developing skills, not worrying about what bills might be coming through the door. Protecting patients means protecting the future of nursing, which is why we need a new deal for future generations of the NHS workforce.”
The RCN is calling for universal, uplifted financial support that rises with inflation each year, on top of existing funding. It also demands upfront grants to cover additional costs unique to nursing degrees, such as travel to clinical placements.
Government Response
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Nurses are the backbone of our NHS, and it is vital that they are equipped with the tools and resources required to deliver world class care to those who need it. There are support measures in place to support nursing students, such as a non-repayable grant of £5,000 a year for eligible students, as well as additional incentives for priority specialisms such as mental health nursing and learning disability nursing. Financial support is also available for childcare, dual accommodation costs, and travel. Our upcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out a clear roadmap to improve working lives in the NHS, including better treatment of staff, higher-quality training, and more fulfilling roles.”
