Mental Health Nurse (Student) United Kingdom
Job description
The role at a glance
£20,000
The minimum amount you'll earn after 6 months in service whilst you study
6 weeks
Of paid holiday every year
University
Get paid to study for your BSc in Mental Health Nursing
£34,000
Earn over this amount after university and initial training
Free
Medical and dental care
Travel
All around the world
What you’ll do
Joining the Royal Navy as a Student Nurse means you’ll get paid to study your BSc in Mental Health 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 qualified, you’d work in one of our Department of Community Mental Health centres in Plymouth, Portsmouth or Faslane in Scotland. As well as carrying out the initial assessment of your patients, we’ll give you extra training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, group therapy and many more to enable you to treat your patients too. Our mental health nurses can be deployed around the world when required. This could be in support of the Maritime Role 3 capability on board RFA Argus, caring for clinical staff and patients alike. Or you could be part of the Waterfront Logistics Support Group; a network of specialists ready to deploy to ships and units around the world, should the need arise.
Pamela
Mental Health Nurse, Medical Branch
Being paid to train was an incredible opportunity. Since I completed my degree I’ve been deployed all over the world, helping some amazing people, making a real difference.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, TALK TO US
CALL US 0345 607 55 55
Your role
Complete your BSc in Mental Health Nursing at Birmingham City University
Once qualified, start your preceptorship at one of our Department of Community Mental Health Centres
Combine military training with medical skills
The role is varied – you could work ashore, offering community care to returning personnel, or provide occupational mental health assessment, treatment and management on missions all over the world
Contribute to the operational effectiveness of our personnel
Be part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces
What you’ll get
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
BSc Mental Health Nursing
Option for additional therapy qualifications after your BSc
Civilian recognised Leadership and Management qualifications
Skills you'll develop
Unique mental health care, assessment, treatment and management
Specialist vocational qualifications in areas such as cognitive behavioural therapy and addictions
Become adaptable and versatile in carrying your nursing expertise around the world
Team work, multi-disciplinary collaboration and communication
Pay and benefits
Get paid to go to university with subsidised accommodation and food allowances
A salary that rises to at least £20,000 after serving for 6 months
Once qualified, salary rises to over £34,000
Six weeks of paid holiday every year
Sports and adventurous training opportunities
Free medical and dental care
Career progression
DAY ONE
Start three years of training, including clinical placements
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
3 years studying for your BSc in Mental Health Nursing
YEAR FOUR
Join a Department of Community Mental Health Centre
FIRST PROMOTION
Become Leading Hand, mentor students, go on deployment
SECOND PROMOTION
Become Petty Officer, take more responsibility, lead a team
What you'll need
Eligibility
Aged 17 and a half to 39
Multiple entry points exist to gain 120 UCAS points; check with MSAT PO as not all accepted
At least 3 GCSEs at grades A-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Other Level 2 study may be considered
A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
Be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National
Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills and interests
Excellent interpersonal skills
A caring and compassionate nature
An independent thinker
A highly organised team player, who remains calm under pressure
An adventurous spirit
Starting your career
Joining process
Initial training
Professional training
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:
Submit an application
Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA
Interview
A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform
Medical and eye tests
These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors
Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)
This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you
Student Nurse Assessment Board
This is a 1 day board held in November each year in Portsmouth where you will deliver a 10-minute presentation on a clinical subject, take part in a team working exercise and sit a 30-40 minute interview with the Nurse Education Advisor and Specialist Medical Recruitment Team.
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course
Start training
Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh. University intakes are either September or January, depending on when you get your A-level results. You’ll start at HMS Raleigh 12-14 weeks before you’re due to join BCU.
