Thinking about joining the army?

This if you want to join the British Army: This is the nearest you can get to being a nurse if you don't have a nursing degree:

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT -

Works in a hospital or in the field providing nursing care alongside Registered Nurses

Health Care Assistants’ duties are similar to those of nurses and, although supervised by nurses, they are given plenty of responsibilities of their own – whether working in a Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit or out in the field on operations, where they are expected to perform under challenging conditions. HCAs provide care for military and civilian patients.

The Right Job For Me?

Health Care Assistants work in a variety of clinical settings. Applicants must be willing and able to work as part of a team in constantly changing environments. As an HCA you’ll be expected to work shift systems including some weekends and night duty. Time off is given following shift work to allow you to recover.

What Skills Will I Learn?

Competency in delivering a high standard of holistic care to patients.Assisting with patient hygiene, mobility, physical comfort, eating and drinking, while observing and reporting specific changes to their condition.Communicating effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

What Training Will I Do?

Initial training Your Army career will begin at an Army Training Regiment (ATR). During your 14-week basic training course you will learn military skills. After basic training, HCAs are trained for two years in their trade, during which time they will gain an NVQ Level 2 (intermediate) in Care, and following a period of further experience and training can go on to Level 3 (advanced). If they gain NVQ Level 3, HCAs may be eligible to apply for student nurse training. NVQ training takes place in the following forms:Initial HCA training takes place at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Training Division, Gosport, Hampshire. Anatomy and physiology The theoretical component to your training.Clinical placement Takes place at a nursing home and lasts for six weeks. The objective is to help you gain basic care experience. After the six-week placement, the Class 2 course begins. This is two weeks long and has a written exam at the end. On completion of the Class 2 course, you will be posted to a hospital unit. Two years after beginning your trade training, subject to passing the right exams (see below), you will be awarded Class 1 status. Each upgrade comes with a pay rise.

COMBAT MEDICAL TECHNICIAN -

Support Army Doctors by providing emergency first aid and front-line evacuation

Combat Medical Technicians (CMT) give emergency treatment, evacuate casualties and deal with the routine medical needs of soldiers both in conflict and in times of peace. Combat Medical Technicians are employed within Medical Regiments and Medical Centres in a support role, working under the guidance of Medical Officers. CMTs are highly skilled and highly respected members of the British Army.

The Right Job For Me?

Trained CMT personnel can expect to work in a variety of medical environments and locations. A genuine interest in all aspects of medicine and a desire to serve others is characteristic of all CMTs. Applicants must be self-disciplined and able to hold their nerve in any situation.

What Skills Will I Learn?

Mastery of first aid and medical practice in high-pressure situations.To defend yourself and your patients with life-saving specialist knowledge.You will become a highly skilled first-aid professional, able to handle surgical, medical, or psychiatric patients from the onset of their condition until they are admitted to a hospital offering specialist care.

What Training Will I do? Basic training takes place at Army Training Regiment (ATR) Pirbright. During your 14-week course you will learn military skills. Trade training for CMTs consists of a 23-week course conducted in three phases.Phase oneA 12-week medical package, which is a modulated theory and practical programme, with confirmation and testing after each module.Phase twoA four-week medical placement for practical experience working in medical centre and ambulance station environments. This stage involves medical administration as well as hands-on experience and training.Phase threeA seven-week confirmation package of all new skills, including signals training, field hygiene skills, pharmacy and medical administration and the field medical skills package.On completion of trade training, CMTs are awarded Class 2 before joining a Medical Regiment or Field Hospital. Class 1 is available after 18 months of practical experience within a field medical unit. That could involve anything from operating with an armoured battlegroup to providing medical cover for helicopter crews. Every graduation of Class is accompanied by an increase in both salary and responsibility.

Hope this helps

The closest you'll get to a nursing job in the Army without a degree is to get an MOS (occupation) in the medical field. You will most likely be working in a clinic and get to help out patients, do certain medical things, work the desk, etc.