Best discounts and freebies for nurses

As the cost of living remains high for many households, it’s important to save money where you can. Luckily, many companies offer discounts for NHS and healthcare workers that can help you to save money on everything from everyday expenses, like your phone contract, or luxuries like holidays or a new car. In this guide, we’ll break down where to find the best discounts for nurses in the UK.

Memberships that can help save nurses money

NHS staff benefits

NHS staff benefits is a free website for NHS workers which lists regular discounts and deals across a wide variety of businesses. It also posts regular competitions where members can win holidays, gym memberships, jewellery and more. Some of the discounts include offers from retailers including:

  • Allplants
  • Charlotte Tilbury
  • HelloFresh
  • David Lloyd
  • Affinity Leasing
  • Jet2Holidays
  • Plusnet

What you need to register

To register for an NHS staff benefits membership, you’ll need a valid NHS email address and to select the field and trust you work at when you register.

Blue Light Card

The Blue Light Card is one of the most well-known money-saving memberships. It not only offers discounts for nurses but also for care workers, NHS staff, emergency services and armed forces.

The Blue Light Card offers discounts both online and on the high street. There’s also a free app to help you to keep track of discounts. It costs £4.99 to become a member for two years. With 15,000 businesses offering discounts for Blue Light members, we definitely think the initial investment is worth it.

Some of the most popular discounts available with the Blue Light Card include brands such as:

  • Apple
  • Boohoo
  • Domino’s
  • Halfords
  • Hotels.com
  • New Look
  • Samsung
  • Sky TV
  • Tesco

What you need to register

To register for a Blue Light Card you’ll need proof of ID or a payslip dated within the last three months and be able to meet their eligibility criteria.

RCN Membership

The Royal College of Nursing Membership provides nurses with a wide range of financial, insurance and legal services as well as discounts on everyday brands. The RCN is the world’s largest nursing professional body so, as well as discounts, membership will also provide you with services to help you in your nursing career. Membership starts at £0.84 a month and includes discounts from over 30,000 companies including:

  • LV= Insurance
  • Lighthouse financial advice
  • Stephensons Solicitors
  • Samsung
  • Virgin Trains
  • Tesco
  • ASDA
  • EE
  • Microsoft

The RCN offers members discounts via a points scheme called WOWPoints. This works similarly to a Boots card, where each point equals £0.01. If you link your debit card to RCN Xtra, you can automatically earn WOWPoints when you spend money with participating retailers, and in turn can spend your points on the RCN Xtra website or turn your WOWPoints to cash and withdraw them into your bank account.   

What you need to register

To become a member of the RCN, you’ll need to register for membership on their website. To qualify you must be registered as a nurse with the NMC.

Interested in joining us?

Find out more about what is needed to join us. Browse the specialisms that we’re currently recruiting for at Thornbury.

Health Service Discounts

Health Service Discounts is a free website that offers discounts across shopping, travel, finance, bills and shopping for nurses, midwives, NHS workers and healthcare workers. They also have a cashback card where you can earn money back with participating retailers including:

  • ASDA
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Waitrose
  • John Lewis
  • M&S
  • Argos
  • Boots
  • Primark

What do I need to register

To take advantage of Health Service Discounts, you can register online. Discounts are not just valid for NHS staff but include everyone who works at private hospitals, agencies or bank staff, GP staff, dental practice, pharmacy staff, hospice staff, all retired staff, healthcare volunteers and healthcare-related charity staff.

What discounts can I get from just showing my staff ID or email address?

You don’t necessarily have to sign up for a membership to get access to discounts, however, you usually need at least a valid NHS email address or to be able to show your work ID to take advantage. We’ve listed some of the best discounts available when you show just your ID or work email below:

What are the best freebies I can get as a nurse?

Headspace

One of the best freebies for nurses is the Headspace app. This is completely free for NHS staff and you won’t be asked for payment if you sign up with your NHS email address. The app is a meditation and mindfulness tool that helps to reduce stress and supports your mental health.  

Blue Light Tickets

Blue Light Tickets is a sister company to Blue Light Discounts, offering free tickets to events around the country. Events include:

  • Food and drink
  • Comedy
  • Sport
  • Live music
  • Exhibitions

Nursing is a tough job, so it’s fantastic to see so many businesses recognise the hard work that goes into nursing. We’ve listed just a few of the discounts and freebies you can get as a nurse, but it’s always worth asking retailers and businesses if they offer a discount for nurses as they might not advertise it openly.

Here at Thornbury, we offer competitive pay to combat the rising costs of living and we also pay your NMC fees. So if you’re an experienced nurse looking to increase your earnings, register with Thornbury today.

Register with Thornbury

We are looking for exceptional nurses and midwives to join our team. Register with Thornbury to access high rates of pay, paid mileage and support with revalidation.

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