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Army Nurse
Provide general and specialist nursing care to soldiers and civilians while working in a range of locations. This role allows you to join either as a soldier or an officer, when you're fully trained or while you're a student nurse.
Royal Army Medical Service
Starting salary
£27,282 - £44,078
Age range
18 - 36
Student?
Bursary available
Role details
Everything you need to know about the role, requirements and what you’ll gain.
Royal Army Medical Service
The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) is home of the Army's medical specialists, including doctors, dentists and pharmacists. Open to those already qualified as well as those wanting to train.
Army Nurses can find themselves working in a variety of settings. These can range from NHS hospitals within a Joint Hospital Group to ground-based environments, such as Multi-Role Medical Regiments (MMR). Nursing personnel deal with all types of medical situations, which could involve caring for civilian and military patients in the UK to military casualties of war and conflict. You'll also get to travel, take part in Adventurous Training and play sports for the Army. With a competitive salary, non-contributory pension and free healthcare too, you'll get great rewards - and an amazing experience.
Posting opportunities are diverse and include a variety of clinical roles, instructional positions within clinical and military training establishments and other interesting jobs such as recruiting. You can also choose to join as a Soldier or Officer, depending on your qualifications, experience and the type of career you are looking for.
Key responsibilities
Provide general and specialist nursing care to soldiers and civilians
Manage daily patient case load on a ward within a Joint Hospital Group
On operations, work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, often alongside other multi-national forces
Have the flexibility to work in a modern UK hospital or the more challenging conditions of a field hospital overseas
Training to become an Army nurse will depend on whether you're planning on joining as a student nurse, already registered nurse and as a Soldier or Officer.
Don't worry if you're not sure which route is right for you, our team of Recruiters will happily talk you through the best option for you.
You'll command a team that provides the highest standard of care. You can choose to join as an Officer or Soldier; both roles will stretch your clinical and leadership abilities. As a Soldier you will follow a regular nursing career pathway. Officers will take on additional leadership and management responsibilities within the Army, alongside their nursing duties.
Army Nursing can be tough, so we'll give you the best possible military and professional training. You can develop your skills throughout your career with further study up to and beyond MSc level, funded by us.
During your Army Nursing application we will advise and support you in making the right career choice for you so that you can realise your true potential, whether that's as a Nursing Soldier or Nursing Officer.
Training
Step 1 - You join the Army and complete your initial Soldier or Officer military training.
Step 2 - You complete a short Transition to Military Practice Course, after which you will be assigned to a Joint Hospital Group to commence your preceptorship and rotation programme and begin life as an Army Nurse.
Golden Hello
If you hold a recognised specialist qualification within Emergency, Intensive Care or Burns and Plastics you may be eligible for a £30,000 bonus on completion of your military training.
JOINING AS A STUDENT NURSE (SOLDIER)
We also train our own nurses. You will complete a three-year degree programme that will give you professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will be well supported by military and civilian University staff at the Defence School of Healthcare Education within Birmingham City University and will then be employed as a Registered Nurse by the Army. After successful completion of your Student Nurse training you will wear the rank of Acting Corporal. Your first unit will be a Joint Hospital Group, post-qualification rotation programme to allow you to develop in acute areas of practice.
Training
Step 1 - You join the Army as a Soldier and complete Phase 1 Training prior to starting your university course.
Step 2 - Following university, you then complete a short Transition to Military Practice Course, after which you will be assigned to a Joint Hospital Group to begin life as an Army Nurse.
JOIN AS A STUDENT NURSE (OFFICER)
If you are already in your student nurse training or soon to embark on your Adult Health training pathway with a guaranteed university place you could apply for an Army Nursing Bursary worth up to £42,000. This gives £5,000 for each year of training. On successful completion of your student nursing course and successfully finishing officer training, you will be given a lump sum of £27,000. You will then enter the Army as a Registered Nurse and be assigned to a Joint Hospital Group unit where you will continue to learn and develop your skills.
Age
You can join between the ages of 18 – 36. At the time of your application you will need to be between 17 years & 9 months old and 35 years & 11 months old.
Fitness
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
MSFT (beep test) level 5.8 (Officer candidates)
2km run 12 min (soldier candidates)
Education
If you've got your qualifications, then apply online. Your application will be passed to our specialist team, who will help guide you through the process towards joining in this role. You will be invited to an insight course where you will be offered a career discussion to advise which role best suits you - either Soldier or Officer.
STUDENT NURSE (SOLDIER)
3x GCSEs grade 9-4/A-C including Maths, English Language and one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics double/triple award or Health and Social Care. Or other examination board equivalent.
Plus 120 UCAS points. You must attend specialist Army Nursing insight event. Speak to your recruiter if you have any questions on entry requirements.
STUDENT NURSE (OFFICER)
If you have already gained your Student Nurse university place, are in the process of obtaining a place through UCAS or are part way through your Student Nurse training you are eligible to apply for an Army Nursing Bursary. You will join as a Nursing Officer once you qualify.
All applicants must attend an Army Nursing Insight Event and Officer candidates are required to pass the Army Officer Selection Board.
ADULT NURSE
You need to be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). This can be newly qualified or with prior nursing experience. Those within their final year of Nursing can also apply.
Candidates are able to apply if they wish to enter as either a Soldier or Officer.
All applicants must attend an Army Nursing Insight Event and Officer candidates are required to pass the Army Officer Selection Board.
Need help?
Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.
ADULT NURSE SOLDIER:
Earn £27,282 during initial training. When you complete your military training and join your unit, your pay will rise.
ADULT NURSE OFFICER:
You'll be on an annual salary of £35,925 during your training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, before commissioning on a minimum of £44,078 a year, depending on your experience.
STUDENT NURSE (SOLDIER):
Earn £27,282 during initial training. Upon qualification and first posting your pay will rise.
You will have the opportunity to specialise in one of a number of areas, including: Primary Health Care (to Advanced practice), Emergency Nursing (to Advanced practice), Critical Care, Burns and Plastics, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Sexual Health, General Medicine and General Surgery. Alongside this you will gain significant personal and professional development.
There's also excellent continued professional development up to and beyond MSc level.
Still studying? Receive up to £75,000 with a medical bursary while you're at uni
Your application journey
There are several ways to join Nursing in the Army. The application process will vary depending on whether you want to join as an officer or a soldier, and whether you are already a qualified nurse, currently training, or want to become a student nurse as part of your role. This shows the stages everyone will go through. Depending on your chosen route, there may be some additional steps.
Online application
Complete your application form online. You'll need details about your education, work history, and why you want to join the Army.
Medical
Everyone joining will need to be medically cleared - this involves your medical records being checked, and a physical medical examination.
Assessment Centre / Army Officer Selection Board
Whether you're joining as an officer or a soldier, you will need to be assessed for your suitability to join the Army.
Security clearance
Background and security checks are conducted. This can take longer depending on your personal circumstances and history.
Real Army Life
Ask a Soldier
Get honest answers from real soldiers in the roles you’re interested in. Read previously asked questions or ask your own.
The training you will complete will be to the same level and qualifications as any other nurse in civilian life, and the job you do wont be too dissimilar either.
Your normal job will involve working alongside NHS colleagues, potentially in some NHS environments and also in Military medical centres and hospitals too.
The main difference to being an army nurse is that you will be capable and able to do your job anywhere in the world. This could be providing aid to our own troops and allies on various operations and deployments around the world, and providing humanitarian aid to other countries facing natural disasters, epidemics and anything else which may require medical assistance. All of this will be done in conjunction with the rest of the army too, bringing in professionals in various other areas to assist you in getting your job done. From engineers setting up the infrastructure, infantry providing protection (if required), HR and admin specialists ensuring pay and legality and so much more. So with this, you will have vast opportunities to work with people from all walks of life in various specialist areas and gain experience like no other career.
Along with this, through your medical career, if you would like to specialise in a certain area, the army will help you with this too, either through funding or through providing the training itself, there are plenty of options available.
Kat
Royal Army Medical Services
Anybody who has a good general level of fitness will be absolutely fine. Basic training is about taking you from being fit to being Army fit.
You don’t need to arrive as a finished athlete. If you’re reasonably active and willing to put the effort in, you’ll improve quickly with training and support.
Greg H
Royal Military Police
From day one you’re trained, supported and developed - you’re never left to figure things out alone.
You’re very well supported. Instructors are there to guide you, and don't forget, you join alongside others who are just as new, so you learn and settle in as a team.
Carlington R
Royal Engineers
There are varied periods where you’ll be extremely busy and also periods where you could be having downtime at home with family and friends.
Not at all. Some parts are intense, especially during training or when learning something new, but it’s not like that all the time. You’ll have structured periods where you’re focused and pushed to do your best, but there’s also downtime to reset, socialise and look after yourself. That balance helps you grow without feeling overwhelmed.
Jen C
Adjutant General's Corps
Phase 1 training will gradually push your limits, both physically and mentally, and you learn a lot about what you’re capable of.
Basic training is where you learn the fundamentals of Army life, from fitness and discipline to teamwork and core soldiering skills. It’s challenging, but you’re supported every step of the way as you build confidence and resilience.
Tori C
Royal Army Medical Services
Your future starts here
Every Army Nurse started exactly where you are now. Take the first step.
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