AddressHelping people Travelling the world Sport & fitness
PAY DURING FIRST SIX MONTHS
£18,600+
+ BENEFITS
PAY UNTIL COMPLETION OF PHASE TWO TRAINING
£23,400+
+ BENEFITS
Student Nurse entry to the RAF is a great way to start your career. You will train with us and, once graduated, you will begin your career as an RAF Registered Nurse, providing direct nursing care in a variety of different clinical settings.
Register interest
Already applied? See what the next steps are >
What will you do?
After basic training, you will commence undergraduate professional training as a Student Nurse (Adult) within Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) at Birmingham City University. Subsequent tasks include:
- Providing primary healthcare
- Delivering secondary healthcare
- Aeromedical evacuation (transfer of patients by air)
Life as a Student Nurse in the RAF
Minimum Education Requirement
- Have GCSE Grade C/4-5 or Scottish National 5 grade C in Maths, English Language and Biology/Physics/Chemistry or Science Double Award
- Have 120 UCAS points from Higher Education. Further details listed below
Requirements
- Be aged 17 - 47 years (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status)
- Commit to a minimum 12 years service
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
- It is desirable that all candidates should have some nursing/caring experience (voluntary or paid employment). Any declared experience should be accompanied with a reference.
View all entry requirements >
CAREER, TRAINING
& EDUCATION
At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.
01
Phase one training
Basic Recruit Training
10 weeks
RAF Halton
Your career will start with Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
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02
Phase two training
Specialist training
Ongoing
As assigned
It is desirable that all candidates should have some nursing/caring experience (voluntary or paid employment).
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03
Additional qualifications
Ongoing development
Ongoing
As assigned
After you have qualified as a RN(A) you will be expected to maintain your currency in clinical practice and undertake CPD.
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04
First tour
Specialist training
Ongoing
As assigned
You will progress to Birmingham City University (BCU) to complete the 3 year BSc (Hons) degree in Adult Nursing.
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05
Ongoing development
Ongoing training
Ongoing
As assigned
Once you have qualified as a RN(A) you will complete a period of further development.
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06
Career prospects
Ongoing development
Ongoing
As assigned
From 01 Jan 2024 Student Nurses entering as Unqualified Entrants will be offered a Preliminary Engagement 12. On completion of training you will be subject to 3 years Return of Service (ROS).
Read more
07
Transferable skills
Ongoing development
Ongoing
As assigned
The qualifications you can earn are as valuable in civilian industry as they are in the RAF.
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WHY JOIN
THE RAF?
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
Rent from £75p/m
Free gym
Subsidised food
Health care
World travel
Training
View all benefits
WHAT HAPPENS
AFTER APPLYING
Joining the RAF takes several steps. Below is an overview of the process. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.
1
Selection Interviews
Stage 1 of 5
Here’s where we get to know you a little better. You’ll get to showcase your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining us. Your interview will take place at a local AFCO and cover the following topics:
- Family life
- Education
- Work experience
- Special interests and hobbies
- Interest in the RAF
- Training
- The role you’ve applied for
- The RAF
You’ll be asked a series of standard questions, and you’ll be able to ask your own questions during the debrief afterwards. Some roles require a second interview and/ or test to determine your suitability.
Some roles also require a second interview and/or test to determine your suitability. These are normally conducted over a 1-3 day period at an RAF base where you’ll be able to see, and experience, the kind of environment you’ll be working in. Details about which interviews are relevant for you will be provided during the application process.
2
Health Assessment
Stage 2 of 5
You’re legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show you’re fit for military duty. As part of this assessment we will check your overall health, focusing on areas like hearing, eyesight and body mass index.
We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role. Please refer to entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.
3
Fitness Test
Stage 3 of 5
A good level of fitness is critical to joining the RAF, it’s also something that must be maintained throughout your career. You’ll need to complete a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFC). This will take place at a local gym near to you, and includes a 2.4km run, push up test and a sit-up test.
The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. Please refer to the entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet. You can also find help, and a training plan, to assist you in your preparation here.
4
Acceptance
Stage 4 of 5
Once you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process you’ll be invited to a provisional offer of service interview at your nearest AFCO. This is to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of service in the RAF, are fully committed to joining, and prepared to commence training.
5
Training
Stage 5 of 5
Basic Recruit Training
This takes place over 10 weeks at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. It will make you fitter and more confident. It will challenge you mentally and physically, and it will prepare you for your career with us. There are 6 phases:
- Arrival - You’ll be sworn into the RAF and be given a service number
- General Service training - You’ll learn about marching, drills, core values and our code of conduct
- Initial Force Protection training - Fighting and survival in a military environment
- Exercise Blue Warrior - 4 days in the field with real battle conditions
- Force development training - Apply your skills in new environments with adventurous training activities
- Graduation - Learn about what’s required in your first post and display your new skills
What next?
Now you’re a fully-fledged member of the RAF you can receive role specific training.
Now you’re a fully-fledged member of the RAF you can receive role specific training.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be aged 17 - 47 years (Must attest before 48th birthday).
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Have these minimum grades:
GCSE pre–2017
GCSE 2017 onwards
Scottish national 5
Mathematics
C
Grade 4
C
English Language
C
Grade 4
C
Biology/Physics/Chemistry OR Science Double Award
C
Grade 4
C
Have 120 UCAS points from higher education. Please find below a link to the Birmingham City University Website www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/nursing-adult-bsc-hons-2021-22, illustrating the university entry requirement for the BSc(Hons) Nursing (Adult) course. Applicants must meet these criteria as well as all RAF criteria.
You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BACKGROUND CHECKS
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.
APPLY
NOW
Got what it takes? Start your application here.
Register Interest
