Nursing
I am starting a Child Nursing degree in September 2025 and am worried about how to balance life when staying away from home. Will I be able to afford to stay in accommodation as well as on nursing placement? as obviously I will not be able to get a part time job as well as 40hr placement a week. Do any current student nurses mind explaining how they manage it as I’m a bit unsure about how to go about it whilst living away.
Original post by hannahmalcolm18
I am starting a Child Nursing degree in September 2025 and am worried about how to balance life when staying away from home. Will I be able to afford to stay in accommodation as well as on nursing placement? as obviously I will not be able to get a part time job as well as 40hr placement a week. Do any current student nurses mind explaining how they manage it as I’m a bit unsure about how to go about it whilst living away.
@hannahmalcolm18
Working while being a nursing student can be challenging but is often manageable with careful time management, prioritising your studies, and choosing a flexible work schedule, typically involving part-time hours in a healthcare setting that allows you to apply your classroom knowledge in a practical way; however, it's important to be aware of potential burnout due to the demanding nature of both studying and clinical practice.Having worked in Paediatrics and CAMHS, I can say that working with children is incredibly rewarding, yet it can also be tiring.
Key points about working as a nursing student:
Flexibility is key:
Look for jobs with flexible hours that accommodate your class schedule and clinical placements, like working in a hospital as a Health care assistant (HCA) or in a clinic with varied shift options. Some NHS trusts offer special bank shifts for medical, nursing, and healthcare students, providing flexibility to pick shifts around course commitments.
Relevant experience:
Consider working in a healthcare setting to gain practical experience related to your studies, even if it's a basic role like assisting with patient care or administrative tasks.
Time management is crucial:
Create a detailed schedule to balance your study time, clinical hours, and work shifts, ensuring you dedicate enough time to each area.
Prioritise your studies:
Always put your academic responsibilities first, even if it means adjusting work hours when exams or major assignments are approaching.
Communicate with your employer:
Inform your manager about your student status and clinical schedules to request accommodations when needed.
Potential benefits of working while studying nursing:
Financial support: Earning income to help cover living expenses and tuition costs.
Real-world application: Gaining hands-on experience in a clinical setting, applying classroom knowledge to patient care.
Professional network building: Establishing connections with healthcare professionals early in your career.
Potential challenges of working as a Child nursing student:
Fatigue and burnout:
Balancing demanding study schedules with work hours can lead to exhaustion and decreased academic performance.
Time constraints:
Juggling multiple responsibilities can make it difficult to find enough time for self-care and personal life.
Stress management:
Managing the stress of clinical placements alongside work responsibilities can be challenging.
It is normal to feel worried when you are away from home. You are taking the right steps to prepare for an excellent learning and real-life experience. Make sure to connect with as many people as possible, both here and at your chosen university, to help you feel at ease and settle into your onboarding period. Best wishes!
Original post by hannahmalcolm18
I am starting a Child Nursing degree in September 2025 and am worried about how to balance life when staying away from home. Will I be able to afford to stay in accommodation as well as on nursing placement? as obviously I will not be able to get a part time job as well as 40hr placement a week. Do any current student nurses mind explaining how they manage it as I’m a bit unsure about how to go about it whilst living away.
Yes, you will be able to afford to stay in accommodation while on placement. You get the NHS bursary on top of student finance.... a minimum extra £5k which other students don't get.
"I can't get a job due to placement" is a complete myth. Many a student nurse, including myself when studying nursing (a fair few years ago) and many of the students I've mentored since have worked alongside their nursing degrees. How is it done? A 0 hours contract. These are great for students of any subject. I had a 0 hours contract as a HCA at my local hospital throughout my nursing degree; many students do this. You pick up shifts wherever is short staffed on the days you can work (without burning out) - I did more during theory blocks than while on placement. Students also work in retail and pubs/restaraunts.
Yes, this involves time management: I allocated myself specific time each week for coursework, including using theory block lunch breaks. E.G. only need to go to lectures 3 days one week? 4 full days left to allocate to uni work, paid work, and time for other stuff.
Original post by Emily_B
Yes, you will be able to afford to stay in accommodation while on placement. You get the NHS bursary on top of student finance.... a minimum extra £5k which other students don't get.
"I can't get a job due to placement" is a complete myth. Many a student nurse, including myself when studying nursing (a fair few years ago) and many of the students I've mentored since have worked alongside their nursing degrees. How is it done? A 0 hours contract. These are great for students of any subject. I had a 0 hours contract as a HCA at my local hospital throughout my nursing degree; many students do this. You pick up shifts wherever is short staffed on the days you can work (without burning out) - I did more during theory blocks than while on placement. Students also work in retail and pubs/restaraunts.
Yes, this involves time management: I allocated myself specific time each week for coursework, including using theory block lunch breaks. E.G. only need to go to lectures 3 days one week? 4 full days left to allocate to uni work, paid work, and time for other stuff.
"I can't get a job due to placement" is a complete myth. Many a student nurse, including myself when studying nursing (a fair few years ago) and many of the students I've mentored since have worked alongside their nursing degrees. How is it done? A 0 hours contract. These are great for students of any subject. I had a 0 hours contract as a HCA at my local hospital throughout my nursing degree; many students do this. You pick up shifts wherever is short staffed on the days you can work (without burning out) - I did more during theory blocks than while on placement. Students also work in retail and pubs/restaraunts.
Yes, this involves time management: I allocated myself specific time each week for coursework, including using theory block lunch breaks. E.G. only need to go to lectures 3 days one week? 4 full days left to allocate to uni work, paid work, and time for other stuff.
@Emily.B Excellent real life advice. Very useful!
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