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Better financial support for nursing students is needed to protect the future generation of the workforce, the RCN says.

The call comes as our survey shows that 93% of students are concerned about finances, with 60% of those concerned cutting back on food and essential bills to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

We’re calling for a package of measures to protect nursing students across the UK. This includes uplifted maintenance grants, on top of existing support that should rise with inflation each year, as well as upfront grants to cover additional costs unique to nursing degrees, such as travelling to clinical placements.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said: “This is a crisis that risks choking the supply of nurses at the source. Nursing students are the future of the NHS workforce, the essential infrastructure of our country, and are vital for keeping the health system afloat. A failure to invest leaves them at the mercy of extreme financial pressures and puts patients at risk.”

Findings from the survey demonstrate how nursing university degrees are becoming unaffordable for many. Two-thirds (63%) of respondents said they've considered quitting. The most common reasons were balancing paid work and study (70%), financial difficulties (61%) and stress and mental health challenges (60%).

Well over half (62%) of respondents, who said money was a concern, told us they'd borrowed money from friends and family, and nearly one in five (19%) said they'd taken out a loan. Students also reported the current NHS Learning Support Fund fails to keep up with their essential costs such as rent.

We believe nursing students across the UK need an additional £5,000 per calendar year. This amount should not be a loan, must be available universally, and should rise each year in line with inflation.

While adequate funding isn’t in place, there is financial support available. You can find further details and get support here.

Nicola continues: “It’s 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 are supposed to be studying. University should be about learning, gaining experience and developing skills. Instead, students are spending their energy worrying about bills.

“It’s clear that existing financial support is simply inadequate. Maintenance loans and the Learning Support Fund fail to even cover students’ rent, leaving them hundreds of pounds out of pocket every month and pushing them into debt that they spend decades paying back. Instead, patients, staff and students alike need a new deal for future generations of the NHS workforce. One that properly reflects the cost of living.”

An RCN report shows how early-career nurses in England are struggling, working in overwhelmed services, with stagnant salaries and high levels of student debt.

We’re urging the Westminster government to forgive student debt for early-career nurses, which could retain more than 12,000 nurses in the NHS; and improve starting salaries and career progression opportunities. This will keep talented nurses in post, relieve pressure on services and protect patients.

We’re also calling for a universal preceptorship for all newly registered nurses, automatic progression from band 5 to band 6 on the Agenda for Change contract, and relocation packages.

How you can get involved

Read more about the demands we’re making for nursing students and find out what you can do to help in your country.