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.
Mental Health Nurse (Student)
You’ll work in one of the Royal Navy Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH).
Start your application
This role is classed as a RBP Healthcare and Medical Rating Student. As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interest- £26,334 - £67,000
- A-Levels / college qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Medical
- Rating level

Role details
- 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
- Get paid to go to university with subsidised accommodation and food allowances
- Earn at least £26,334 whilst at Basic Training
- Earn at least £42,500 after university and initial training
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Sports and adventurous training opportunities
- Free medical and dental care
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
- Aged 17.5 to 39 (You can start your application from 15 years and 9 months old however you must be at least 17.5 years old on day of entry to basic training)
- Multiple entry points exist to gain 120 UCAS points
- 2 GCSEs grade 4 or above, formally grade C inc. Maths, English Language
- 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. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- A caring and compassionate nature
- An independent thinker
- A highly organised team player, who remains calm under pressure
- An adventurous spirit
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.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
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
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Interview
- Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
- Qualified professional assessment board
- Start training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
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