Direct from former student nurses, the Student Money Guide is packed with useful tips.
New nursing students should claim fuel reimbursements, car share, compare markets and supermarkets and seek second-hand textbooks to make their student funding, and part-time wages go as far as possible, updated advice from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) says.
The College’s latest Student Money Guide for nursing is packed with useful information on childcare, travel expenses, charitable funding and tips for those moving into private rented accommodation.
The top money-saving tips.
Direct from former student nurses, the guide offers some top money-saving tips, which include;
- Develop a good relationship with your bank – meet and go through all the options and accounts which will save you most money and give you the best interest rates
- Use online materials, the RCN Library for example, instead of buying textbooks – If you do buy them, try advertising on university notice boards for second-hand copies, or, have a look at www.abebooks.co.uk. Use cashback websites, such as Quidco, when making purchases.
- Get a Young Persons Rail Card if you spend over £72 a year on rail travel – all full-time students are eligible, regardless of age.
- Claim fuel reimbursement if you drive further to placement than to university – it is offered, so you might as well.
- Be penny-wise, seek out free pickings – go to sites like Freecycle for free furniture, kitchenware and bicycles.
- Check out your local discount warehouses for basics, cleaning products, toilet rolls, washing powder and buy these as a household to split the cost of a bulk buy – it is well worth it.
- Share lifts to placement and do food shops with fellow students.
- Make sure your supermarket shop is cheapest – check online comparison sites like mysupermarket.com ahead of your shop.
- Use your local butchers and market.
- Take a packed lunch and flask to university – you will save a small fortune and probably eat better.
Nursing is different to other degree courses.
Claire Cannings, Senior Welfare Adviser commented: “A nursing degree is very different to most undergraduate courses. The placement element means there is less time for part-time work, and the long shifts mean childcare and travel is often more expensive.
“Fluency with finances, brilliance with budgeting and keeping clued-up on things complimentary can pay dividends. This can, in turn, impact positively on study and well-being through a student’s learning years and beyond. It’s amazing how many grants and funds students are entirely unaware of which is why we’ve collated all the information they need in one place.
“While the RCN will still be making the case to Government to invest in nursing education, we hope the guide will continue to be a valuable resource to our current and potential members.”
