Nursing in the Forces.

OldMotherTucker

Any Forces Nurses/Medics out there?

My 17 year old daughter wants to be a nurse so we've been looking at courses and Universities. Last night, however her older sister suggested becoming a QA!
After a couple of hours of lively debate and googling, youngest asked if I'd take her to the Careers information office to find out some more about it! :j:j As you can see, I'm not averse to the idea at all:rotfl:

Obviously I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience or can offer guidance. We have a strong military influence in our family so it's a surprise no one suggested it sooner!

Firstly, though, is there a height restriction for QA's? It's doubtful if DD2 will be much more than 5'2". She's always been petite!

missbiggles1

You've probably already seen this.....

https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/228/

OldMotherTucker

missbiggles1 wrote: »

You've probably already seen this.....

https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/228/

We watched quite a few last night. I'm interested in hearing more first hand experiences.:)

Barneysmom

If she joins the RAMC she will love it and not look back, in fact why hasn't she joined already!


Her height isn't an issue.


http://www.army.mod.uk/medical-services/29918.aspx

gt568

Has she thought about the RAF?

nbinblack

There is no height restriction for nursing within the QARANC and if it is nursing in particular it would be QARANC not the RAMC which has the medical trades such as Operating Department Practitioner, Radiographer, Environmental Health and Bio Medical Scientist (lab tech) and Combat Medical Technicians.
If your daughter is interested in the hands on, caring, patient contact side of the medical world then it would be as a Registered nurse or as a Health Care Assistant within the QARANC. She would go through the recruiting process and as part of that process she will attend a selection board for nursing.

After university and on qualification as an RN within the QARANC your daughter will be posted to an MDHU (Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit) soon to be renamed but the effect will be the same. These are located within NHS Trusts at either Frimley Park, Northallerton (although working out of Middlesbrough), Portsmouth and RCDM in Birmingham, this will enable her to complete her preceptorship. Her next assignment after this would usually be to a Field Hospital or Medical Regiment.

All three services offer a different experience, your daughter may choose to specialise her nursing in the future and this is where the three services have different things to offer in the availability of spaces on courses due to their need. i.e currently there are more ED spaces within the Army than the RAF.

An advantage of doing training within the military is that although at university she would be on a liveable wage but she would have to commit to a return of service for after her course.

A career in nursing is very rewarding and the added bonus of military nursing are the different opportunities available - better job security, better pay, travel opportunities, different healthcare environments, adventurous training and sports. Her patients are not necessarily going to be young servicemen and women due to there no longer being military hospitals.

I don't want to ramble but if your daughter has any particular questions I will be happy to answer them if I am able to, and if I don't know the answer I can try and find out - my own recruiting knowledge is out of date but my own experience of 24 and a half years in the Corps is current and in date.

OldMotherTucker

Thank you so much nbin. This is really exciting. We had another brainstorming session this evening. DD2's biggest concern is having to take a year out before applying. She will be 18 next July and will get her A level results a month later.

I looked at a nearby public access course but, apart from the leadership experience, it's really not academic enough for someone of her abilities. What would be the best experiencee for her to gain without losing the momentum in her studies?

kangoora

Just wondering, are the bursaries only open to officer candidates?

Or, are they also available to students who want to join up as, for example, a nurse, without necessarily wanting to be an officer?

I got the impression from briefly scanning the Army website that everything seemed to be pointing at officer entry.......

wiltsguy_2

im not in the medical trade but I am in the RAF-have been for 20+yrs. The RAF is a great life, she will receive full training on good rates of pay, plenty of time off, the option to play sports, travel opportunities and make some good friends-she will love it.

In the RAF the doctors are commisoned officers and the medics & nurses are not.

Have you got a careers office near you? or look on the RAF careers website

molerat

kangoora wrote: »

Just wondering, are the bursaries only open to officer candidates?

Or, are they also available to students who want to join up as, for example, a nurse, without necessarily wanting to be an officer?

I got the impression from briefly scanning the Army website that everything seemed to be pointing at officer entry.......

Student Nurse pay during training : £17,945 during your first year at university rising to £21,259 in your third year + Benefits

OldMotherTucker

wiltsguy wrote: »

im not in the medical trade but I am in the RAF-have been for 20+yrs. The RAF is a great life, she will receive full training on good rates of pay, plenty of time off, the option to play sports, travel opportunities and make some good friends-she will love it.

In the RAF the doctors are commisoned officers and the medics & nurses are not.

Have you got a careers office near you? or look on the RAF careers website

We're planning a trip to Gus next week! I'll back her all the way if this is what she wants to do!

It's made her really think about her CV which is, so far, mainly academic!
She has applied as a volunteer at our hospital which is a good start.