A Birmingham father has revealed that his family has cancelled their energy direct debits as he struggles to manage financially while training as a nurse. Joshua Parker-Walsh, a second-year adult nursing student at Birmingham Newman University, said he received emails from his electricity provider threatening to send someone to his home.
His experience reflects a broader crisis among nursing students across the UK. According to a survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), 95 percent of nursing students reported concerns about their finances, and 56 percent have cut back on essentials such as food, heating, and electricity.
Financial struggles force tough choices
Joshua explained: "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."
The RCN survey also found that 34 percent of nursing students are short by over £500 at the end of each month, forcing them to reduce spending on essentials or accumulate debt. The union warned that the cost-of-living crisis risks "choking off the supply of nurses at the source," as nursing degrees become increasingly unaffordable.
Many consider leaving their studies
Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of nursing students have considered leaving their studies, up from 46 percent in a previous survey. The main reasons cited include balancing paid work with study (71 percent), stress and mental health challenges (64 percent), and financial difficulties (63 percent).
Elektra Ellis, a second-year adult nursing student at the University of Lancashire, shared her story: "I originally studied in Plymouth, but I had to drop out because I couldn't afford to live, even while working three days a week as a Health Care Assistant. My mental health was in the gutter. Now I study at a different university, but I still think about money every day. I limit how many washing loads I put on to keep bills down. I have two credit cards, and it's the norm for students to have at least one. You see 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."
Calls for increased financial support
The RCN is demanding universal, increased financial support that rises annually in line with inflation, on top of existing funding. They also want upfront grants to cover extra costs unique to nursing degrees, such as travel to clinical placements.
Prof 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."
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."
The RCN gathered feedback from 2,504 people currently studying on nursing programmes throughout the UK as part of its State of the Student Nation survey.
