– You get burnt out, and it is something you could have avoided if there had been better funding for the education. So says nursing student at NTNU Gjøvik, Caroline Marie Bøe Olsen. She starts her third year this autumn and says she has three part-time jobs alongside her studies to make ends meet. But why exactly? Many have to pay double rent During their three-year study programme, the nursing students spend half of their time in practice. They don’t get paid a penny for this, and many have to go out into the rural areas in practice. Then there are additional costs such as commuting, fuel prices and tolls. In addition, the students may have to live at the place of practice since they do not have the opportunity to commute. – In practice, there are a lot more expenses than there are otherwise, says Caroline Marie. Many people therefore have to pay double rent, and at the same time it is becoming increasingly expensive to be a student: The budget is based on the Norwegian Student Organization’s set-up, together with figures from Statistics Norway. There will be big differences from person to person, and from place of residence to place of residence. – There’s no going around In addition to practice, Caroline Marie says the nursing students often have weekly deliveries of a log, reflection note or a work requirement. During a hectic internship period, many have to work twice as much in order for the students to manage financially. – With increased living costs, I and other students have long days and late evenings ahead of us, says the nursing student who is also the county representative for Inlandet in the Norwegian Nurses Association (NSF) Student. She says that the current system is not working for the students. Do you think nursing students are entitled to extra financial support? Absolutely! No, they must be treated the same as other students Show result As a county representative, she receives several inquiries from students who want to postpone or have their internship arranged since they are dependent on having a job on the side. – It is difficult, but you just have to keep going. It will be heavy, and you will have a mental blow because you are overloading yourself all the time. Want extra financial support She believes nursing students have a good reason to get extra financial support when they are in practice. Oddmund Løkensgard Hoel (Sp) is state secretary in the Ministry of Education and Science: – It is not appropriate for the state to set up paid internships. GREAT OPPORTUNITY: State Secretary in the Ministry of Knowledge, Oddmund Løkensgard Hoel (Sp). He says it is out of the question to pay internship students, but encourages the students to work outside the internship periods. Photo: Høgskulen i Vestlandet He further says that nursing students have an advantage in that they can easily get a part-time job in health and care which is also relevant to their studies. – It is a great opportunity to look at student finances during holidays and periods where the studies allow it, says the state secretary. Do not want a paid internship But giving the students a salary would be wrong, Caroline Marie also believes. Leader of the Norwegian Nurses Association, Lill Sverresdatter Larsen, agrees. EXTRA SUPPORT: Leader of the Norwegian Nurses Association, Lill Sverresdatter Larsen. She says it will not be right to give salaries to the nursing students, but rather wants them to receive extra financial support. Photo: Frode Fjerdingstad / news The reason they should work unpaid, says Sverresdatter Larsen, is that there is a big difference between being an employee and a trainee student in terms of work tasks and rights. – The important thing here is that they should learn and not just be in practice, says the manager. But: – We are working with various ministries to provide increased funding for nursing education, says the head of the union. She sees the problems of the students and proposes an additional scholarship for the nursing students. – This is exactly what the government can implement and arrange right now. Support for those who have to go far away The State Secretary in the Ministry of Education says they will not change the study support for the nursing students, but rather help those who have to go far away during the internship period. – We will use NOK 50 million to cover travel and accommodation expenses for students who get an internship far away from their place of study. The money will cover the costs of enabling more internships to be put into use in municipalities that are far from the campus. Caroline Marie is familiar with this. She still thinks it’s too little. – That sum does not cover the entire rent even once for the students. And with double rent also comes electricity prices, which you have to double. – I think it’s strange. But for some, the internship is different: – The entire scholarship goes to rent, so the internship may be my only opportunity during my studies not to go into the red. INTERNSHIP SALARY: Berit Berg (20) is a journalism student at the University of Stavanger. She receives paid internships, and says it is strange that not more than the journalism students receive financial support during the internship period. Photo: Private Berit Berg (20) studies journalism at the University of Stavanger. Journalism students throughout the country receive 40 per cent of their ordinary salary in practice. She starts the internship period in the new year, and thinks it strange that there are so few students who get support in practice. – There should clearly have been a different arrangement for that. Especially if you have to pay double rent, and only have a scholarship as your only source of income. – Something must be done, Caroline Marie says the situation of today’s nursing students cannot continue. – Something must be done. The students who are already there must be taken care of, especially now that there is a shortage of nurses. Hi, you! Do you have any thoughts on this matter, or perhaps any tips for something else I can make? Please contact!
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