Non-graduate entrants require a total of 5 GCSEs inc English Language and Maths. Dependent on Service need, you will have the opportunity to work in many diverse areas including Primary Health Care, Occupational Health, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Burns and Plastics, Operating Theatres, Medical and Surgical speciality wards, Infection and Prevention Control and Mental Health. Wherever you work, you will be leading a highly motivated team of staff nurses and work as part of a multidisciplinary and often tri-Service team. To ensure you professionally broaden and to make the best of your qualities you can expect to have several assignments. Pay, pension and service beyond the initial engagement up to a maximum of age 60 years are linked to performance and rank progression. Your initial rank will be determined by the number of post-registration years that you have completed maximum initial rank of Flight Lieutenant. Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection. ONGOING DEVELOPMENT Your career will progress through a variety of assignments providing a wide range of roles and responsibilities for optimal professional and personal development; there are abundant opportunities to progress both professionally and as an officer. Militarily, attendance on Officer Development Courses at The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, a national and international centre of excellence in leadership development, and a variety of assignments will enhance your managerial and subordinate development skills. FIRST TOUR Nursing Officers are usually assigned to Defence Medical Group DMG Units in hospitals in the UK for their first assignment in the RAF. At a DMG unit, you can expect to become familiar with working with other military nurses and subordinates and get used to the challenges that managing care as well as subordinates can bring. You will complete a preceptorship programme designed to enhance your clinical skills and orientate you to the military aspects of nursing. Potentially, you will complete your Aeromedical Evacuation Training during this tour. As a junior or newly appointed Nursing Officer, you will likely be assigned to a clinical area with a small team of RAF Registered Nurses to manage — with support from a more senior Nursing Officer. Subsequently, you may request to work in a particular clinical speciality and work towards post-Registration qualifications. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS As a Nursing Officer, your experience in the military will be highly valued by us or by any future employer. We will continue to develop your nursing and leadership skills and ensure that we foster your adaptability and enthusiasm. INITIAL TRAINING Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course BRTC consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15 day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This training course will prepare you for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world; it is also designed to help you tune into the military environment and way of life. As well as military training, you will learn about the core values, code of conduct and history of the RAF, as well as its unique lifestyle. SPECIALIST TRAINING After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK. You must have completed a BSc or Diploma in Nursing Adult or Mental Health. You must be registered with the NMC with at least 1 year post-registration experience. Candidates may apply up to 12 months before they complete the required post-registration clinical experience i. Graduate entrants require 2 GCSEs English Language and Maths or acceptable equivalents at a minimum of Grade C Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17 or Scottish National 5 Grades A-C. Non-graduate entrants require a total of 5 GCSEs inc English Language and Maths. Educational waivers may be considered. Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered. You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course. How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. MALES - 100% pass rates: AGE 2. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew. Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest. DURING YOUR APPLICATION: The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information. Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered. You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through a Pre-joining Fitness Test. How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender. MALES Age Limits 2. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew. Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest. DURING YOUR APPLICATION: The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
