NAVY or RAF nursing?

I heard they were still offering golden handshakes (can't remember what the amount of money was) but they still couldn't get enough to sign up!

Hi!

The golden handshakes (about £6000) are only for people qualifed as ITU or A&E nurses. The main difference is the operational role. In the RAF it is Aero-Evac, whereas in the Navy, obviously you are ship-based. Both roles also require you to work in military units in NHS hospitals, or do practice nurse type stuff at medical centres in military bases.

I was in the Army until a few years ago and would say without a doubt the RAF treats its staff far better than any of the other services. Generally the pay is also higher in the RAF. But it depends on what you want, you are probably more likely to travel more often in the Navy, as there are always ships at sea, whereas there is only one RAF aero-evac and people rotate through it.

Main hospitals for the RAF are Peterborugh and Akitoki (Cyprus) and for the Navy in Portsmouth. Incidentally the joint services training hopsital is in Birmingham.

I would join the RAF tomorrow if I wasn'g going to Oz instead (also my girlfriend would string me up!!)

I was in the Army until a few years ago and would say without a doubt the RAF treats its staff far better than any of the other services. Generally the pay is also higher in the RAF. But it depends on what you want, you are probably more likely to travel more often in the Navy, as there are always ships at sea, whereas there is only one RAF aero-evac and people rotate through it.QUOTE]

Having also been in the Army, I agree! I'd probably choose the RAF if I had my time over again and had the choice to fly sideways or go to sea for months on end.

I'd still choose the Army before either of them though. Blue nylon doesn't suit me, although it does go with my eyes, and the Navy can't march or salute properly and some of them have beards.

Cheers

OG

I've seen this said a lot, so I'd thought I'd share what I learned. Today there was a Navy recruiter at our school. He told us that nursing is LAND based in the Navy. The only medical personnel on ships are PAs and maybe a physician, but never nurses. If the sailors need care, they're flown to a land-based hospital.