Mental Health Nurse

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 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 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.

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.

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 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. 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 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps 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.