Joining the Royal Navy as a Student Nurse means you’ll get paid to study your BSc in Adult Nursing as Birmingham City University, completely paid for by us. You’ll complete Initial Naval Training at HMS Raleigh before starting university in either Sept or January, depending on when you get your A-level results. You’ll train alongside other military students, which means you’ll have great academic and personal support for the duration of your training. Once you’ve qualified, you’ll start at one of our Joint Hospital Group Units in Plymouth, Portsmouth or Birmingham. Personnel are embedded into the NHS trusts in these areas, where you’ll consolidate your nurse training. You’ll begin preceptorship and a 2-year foundation programme which enables you to rotate through different clinical areas. You’ll then get ready to deploy when required on one of our medical capabilities. You’ll have further opportunities to specialise in different areas, including Critical care, emergency medicine, primary care (and many more).
Naval Nurse (Student)
You’ll gain the all skills and qualifications you need for a career in nursing.
Start your application
This role is classed as a RBP Healthcare and Medical Rating Student. As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interestHigh interest role
This is a highly competitive role with potential long lead time to join.
You may wish to consider joining the Royal Navy in a similar role:
- £26,300 - £67,000
- A-Levels / college qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Medical
- Rating level
Role details
- Complete your BSc in Adult Nursing at Birmingham City University
- Once qualified, you’ll consolidate your training during preceptorship and the foundation programme
- Maintain clinical skills working alongside the NHS within a Joint Hospital Group Unit
- Deploy in challenging environments all over the world
- Take opportunities to carry out specialist courses in areas including Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Primary Care and many more
- Become part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces
- A salary of at least £26,300 whilst at Basic Training
- Earn at least £42,500 after university and initial training
- University fees paid for plus subsidised accommodation and an additional food allowance
- Fantastic pay and promotion opportunities throughout your career
- An excellent pension scheme
- Sports and adventure training
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
Qualifications you'll gain
- BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing
- You could have the opportunity for further post-graduate study in specialist clinical areas
- Ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities
- Standard and enhanced learning credits for personal and professional development
- Civilian recognised Leadership and Management Opportunities
Skills you'll develop
- Command, leadership and management training with recognised civilian qualifications
- Clinical mentorship roles
- Ability to work outside your comfort zone in unfamiliar and challenging environments
- Leadership and management
- Adaptability and flexibility to carry your nursing skills into any situation
- Aged 17.5 to 39 (You can start your application from 15 years and 9 months old however you must be at least 17.5 years old on day of entry to basic training)
- Multiple entry points exist to gain 120 UCAS points
- 2 GCSEs grade 4 or above, formally grade C inc. Maths, English Language
- Be a British or Irish national, or a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Passionate and enthusiastic with an eagerness to learn
- Quick thinking and calm under pressure
- A caring and compassionate nature
- A team player>
- An adventurous spirit
Life in the Royal Navy is extraordinary, which is why I wanted to join in the first place. Doing vital work in some amazing places, gives you a real buzz.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day one
Start Initial Naval Training at HMS Raleigh
Professional training
Complete your 3 year BSc in Adult Nursing
Year four
Join one of the Joint Hospital Group Units and commence preceptorship
First promotion
Promote to Leading Naval Nurse on completion of your degree
Second promotion
Based on merit, if you work hard you can be promoted to Petty Officer
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Interview
- Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
- Qualified professional assessment board
- Start training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
Got a question?
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