Impacts of Financial Stress on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Nursing Students: A Systematic Integrative Review

Aim: To explore the direct relationship between financial stress and mental health and wellbeing of nursing students and characterise the effectiveness of available support mechanisms. Design: Systematic integrative review. Data Sources: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Education Research Complete, MEDLINE, ProQuest Central, PsycNET, Scopus and Web of Science were searched in January and October 2024. Methods: Studies reporting a direct relationship between financial stress and mental health and wellbeing in nursing students were included. Data related to sources of financial stress, mental health impacts, and support mechanisms were extracted, synthesised narratively, and reported thematically. Results: Findings from nine studies reveal that financial stress significantly affects nursing students' mental health and wellbeing, contributing to emotional distress and reduced quality of life. Financial stress arises from personal, academic and clinical sources, with the intensity varying based on individual demographic profiles and fluctuating throughout their educational journeys. Marginalised and underserved groups experience greater impacts due to pre-existing disadvantages. Current support mechanisms are largely reactive, providing only short-term relief and failing to address root causes. Additionally, students' efforts to alleviate financial stress in one domain often exacerbated it in another. Conclusion: This review highlights the multifaceted and compounding effects of financial stress on nursing students' mental health and wellbeing. Proactive strategies, including structured employment programs, embedded financial literacy education, and transparent pre-enrolment information offer promising solutions. Implications for the Profession: While financial stress cannot be fully eradicated, targeted support for at-risk students can mitigate its impacts, improving their mental health and educational outcomes. Impact: This review addresses the critical issue of financial stress among nursing students, highlighting its disproportionate impact on marginalised and underserved groups. It underscores the need for proactive interventions and systemic reform to improve educational experiences globally. Reporting Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. Trial Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42024514262.