Third Friday of every month is NHS
Student Bursary pay day. It’s one of the rare occasions, on my online bank statements,
when I see numbers without a minus (-) sign before them. After being a student
nurse for so long now (trust me, it’s long), I just thought that’s how numbers
naturally ran but no, red is not the new black. Budgeting is pretty much like
staying in shape – in order to be slim, you need to burn off more than you chew
(full disclosure, much like my bank account, I wouldn’t say I’m really
successful in this area). In order to stay sane with such little money (but we
thank you, Tax Payer, from the depths of our hearts) you need to spend less
than you earn.
Sometimes it is necessary to go into your overdraft for your hair. Or
that new outfit. Or for those tickets to that show. End of. But – yes, there’s
a but – do that enough times and then when you really, really need money for
something, you might not have funds. It’s an art that you must learn your own
way.
I would like to mention that student nurses (probably all students) are
eligible for help with their healthcare costs. In other words, you can get help
(read: get it free or almost free) for your prescription costs, dental costs
and eyecare costs. You can apply for a HC2 Certificate which gives you full
help with health costs as we are so, well, poor. (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx)
You need to think carefully about what to do with your money because if
you are ever in sire straights, there is no quick solution and many, many, many
student nurses drop out for financial reasons. Usually universities have Access
to Learning Funds but they don’t listen to your sob story and then hand over
money. Oh no no no no no no!!!! You have to fill out triplicate copies of forms
and add photocopies of documents and proof of everything you’ve stated then
wait for a decision. Only the persistent survive this hurdle.
Don’t let money be the thing that stands between you and your PIN number.
Sort it out in the beginning and stick to it, best as you can. There is no
right or wrong but you need to save your stress for the patients and mentors
and doctors with God complexes. I did really well for the first two and a half
years and lived within my means i.e. bursary and loan. Then in the last six
months of training, I got a steady job once weekly and started living off my
overdraft. It was a conscious decision as I wanted to live a little. This
worked out ok-ish although I am now more stressed about money than previously.
However, I start my induction with the Foundation Trust (my first job as a
staff nurse *sighs*) so I’m just going to put this on my win column and move
on.
You
may be familiar with some of these sites but if not, see below:
NHS Student Bursaries: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/816.aspx
The Demotivator: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/demotivator/
*NHS Staff: http://www.nhsdiscounts.com/
*Student Beans: http://www.studentbeans.com/
*Disclaimer: A lot of the above is pure
junk but sometimes you strike gold.
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