At a glance
- Soldier
- Officer
- Specialist
- medical
A Mental Health Nurse gives advice to Army units and Medical Officers on mental-health issues as well as managing a patient case load.
- £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
- £40,714Your pay after completing basic trade training
- AgeFrom 17 years & 9 months to 35 years & 6 months
- QualificationsSee qualification details
You'll help support soldiers and officers as part of a team working in a diverse range of clinical environments. You'll treat patients everywhere from community mental-health facilities on military bases to Multi-role Medical Regiments (MMR) in operational environments and have the opportunity to work in management, training and administration. You'll enjoy access to outstanding learning and development opportunities and 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.
Royal Army Medical Service
The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) is responsible for maintaining the health of servicemen and women. The Corps is represented wherever the British Army is deployed, providing medical support to operations, exercises and Adventurous Training expeditions all over the world.
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 you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, often alongside other multi-national forces
You could work in modern UK hospitals or the more austere and challenging conditions of a field hospital abroad
Excellent continued professional development up to and beyond MSc level
Have any questions? Talk with us
Regular (full time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 35 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
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.
QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
You need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as an Adult Mental Health Nurse (RN/RNMH). This can be newly qualified or with prior Nursing experience. Those within their final year of Nursing are able to apply.
Candidates are able to apply if they wish to enter as 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.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
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. Full entry requirements on Birmingham City University.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2.7m
MSFT (beep test): level 5.8
Training for the role
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.
JOINING AS A REGISTERED NURSE
As a Registered Mental Health Nurse, you'll be part of 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 mental health nursing career pathway. Officers will take on additional leadership and management responsibilities within the Army, alongside their nursing duties.
Army nursing can be challenging, so we'll give you the best possible military and professional training. You can develop your skills throughout your career with further study.
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 then complete a short Transition to Military Practice Course, after which you will be assigned to a Department of Community Mental Health to begin life as an Army Mental Health Nurse.
JOINING AS A STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NURSE
We also train our own Mental Health Nurses. You will complete a 3-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, wearing the rank of Acting Corporal. Once you are registered as a Mental Health Nurse you will be assigned to a Department of Community Mental Health where you will be gradually exposed to mental health case loads working alongside a mentor.
Training
Step 1 - You join the Army as a Soldier and complete Phase 1 Training prior to starting your university course.
Step 2 - You then complete a short Transition to Military Practice Course, after which you will be assigned to a Department of Community Mental Health to gradually increase your mental health case load and begin life as an Army Nurse.
Qualifications you could get after training
You will have the opportunity to specialise in one of a number of areas, including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivation Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy.
Pay & benefits
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE SOLDIER: Earn £18,687 during initial training. When you complete your military training and join your unit, your pay will rise to £32,076.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSE OFFICER: You'll be on an annual salary of £28,861 during your training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, before commissioning on a minimum of £35,744 a year, depending on your experience.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NURSE: Earn £18,687 during initial training. During your time at university you will be paid up to £21,409 each year. Upon qualification and first posting your pay will rise to £32,076.
JOIN WITH A BURSARY
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 chose whether you want to join as a Soldier or Officer once you qualify. If wanting to join as a Nursing Soldier, you will need to pass the Assessment Centre tests for the RAMS. If wanting to join as a Nursing Officer, you will need to pass the Army Officer Selection Board and the Arms Selection Board for the RAMS for professionally qualified officers.
Worth up to £42,000. If you are already training as a student nurse or soon to embark on your Mental Health training pathway with a guaranteed university place you could apply for an Army Nursing Bursary. This can give £5,000 for each year of training. On successful completion of your student nursing course and successfully finishing soldier or 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 Department of Community Mental Health, where you will receive excellent mentorship from clinical practice educators.
How to Apply
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'll need to pass a specialist skills interview to check that your skills are in line with our needs.
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