Army Nurse vs CMT

[Juliaann99]

Hi everyone,

I started my Adult Nurse training in January of this year, so hopefully by the end of 3 years I will be a registered Nurse. I have always wanted to join the Army and considering to join after graduating. This may sound like a stupid question, but firstly what is the major difference between an Nurse and Combat Medic Technician in the Army? And from anyone’s experience, what is it like to be either on of the roles in the army?

 

[diverman]

Hi everyone,

I started my Adult Nurse training in January of this year, so hopefully by the end of 3 years I will be a registered Nurse. I have always wanted to join the Army and considering to join after graduating. This may sound like a stupid question, but firstly what is the major difference between an Nurse and Combat Medic Technician in the Army? And from anyone’s experience, what is it like to be either on of the roles in the army?

If you change universities Edge Hill are working up a four year combined nurse/paramedic degree course.

 

[Juliaann99]

I’m currently at Edge Hill I wasn’t aware of that course

 

[Charlie4]

From an oppo.

CMT is short training and not a formal qualification.

Nurse - 3 years at Uni working with NHS with degree at the end.

 

[diverman]

I’m currently at Edge Hill I wasn’t aware of that course

In the planning at the moment, I believe.

 

[Juliaann99]

Did years as crab M.O. .would not advise.........

I’m not clued up on Military roles, was that a medical officer role??

 

[Buddy!]

Hi everyone,

I started my Adult Nurse training in January of this year, so hopefully by the end of 3 years I will be a registered Nurse. I have always wanted to join the Army and considering to join after graduating. This may sound like a stupid question, but firstly what is the major difference between an Nurse and Combat Medic Technician in the Army? And from anyone’s experience, what is it like to be either on of the roles in the army?

As a CMT you will be, for the first couple of years at least, probably doing very little clinical work. As you progress there are opportunities for quality (i.e. fit, proactive and knowledgeable) Medics; that said, the current pathway to becoming a Paramedic is an absolute shambles and you will be faced with the prospect of gaining years of skills and experience for zero recognition outside of the armed forces.

Between the two options you have mentioned, I would strongly advise you to join as a Nurse; as a Nurse you are guaranteed to be working in clinical roles, will come out of training as a Corporal and are generally more respected within the Defence Medical Services. I would also strongly suggest you to consider the RAF.

 

[Juliaann99]

As a CMT you will be, for the first couple of years at least, probably doing very little clinical work. As you progress there are opportunities for quality (i.e. fit, proactive and knowledgeable) Medics; that said, the current pathway to becoming a Paramedic is an absolute shambles and you will be faced with the prospect of gaining years of skills and experience for zero recognition outside of the armed forces.

Between the two options you have mentioned, I would strongly advise you to join as a Nurse; as a Nurse you are guaranteed to be working in clinical roles, will come out of training as a Corporal and are generally more respected within the Defence Medical Services. I would also strongly suggest you to consider the RAF.

Thank you for the information!! I am definitely going to apply as the Nurse, with having the degree just wanted to know the major difference between the two. Do you know if the Nurse role includes any front line work as I would really like to be involved in the front line hospitals.

I have heard people mention the RAF as an option, is it generally better overall??

 

[alfred_the_great]

Thank you for the information!! I am definitely going to apply as the Nurse, with having the degree just wanted to know the major difference between the two. Do you know if the Nurse role includes any front line work as I would really like to be involved in the front line hospitals.

I have heard people mention the RAF as an option, is it generally better overall??

Yes, nurses will be on the "front line", but unsurprisingly their main role will be in hospitals. Where those hospitals will depend on the situation.

The RAF have a very different attitude to the Army - each are a reflection of their heritage. What it tends to mean is that the RAF treat their people better.

Although it should be noted that all Defence Medical personnel are about to be career managed on a tri-service basis.

 

[Juliaann99]

Yes, nurses will be on the "front line", but unsurprisingly their main role will be in hospitals. Where those hospitals will depend on the situation.

The RAF have a very different attitude to the Army - each are a reflection of their heritage. What it tends to mean is that the RAF treat their people better.

Although it should be noted that all Defence Medical personnel are about to be career managed on a tri-service basis.

Once again thank you for the info!! There’s not a lot of information on the medical roles online. Luckily I am not due to quality for another 2years so I have plenty of time to research and think about my options, but will definitely look into the RAF. A lot of people online have told me to look towards RAF than army as I have heard overall treatment and progression is better with them - but I have no interest in planes, does that make any difference?

Does the tri-service mean that they will all be integrated?

 

[alfred_the_great]

Nursing is, in the main, nursing. There is the opportunity to specialise in aviation nursing (RAF) or many other specialities.

There are currently no plans to make the Defence Medical Services integrated (i.e. not RN/Army/RAF) but it’s a natural end point...

 

[TheManFromWem]

Thank you for the information!! I am definitely going to apply as the Nurse, with having the degree just wanted to know the major difference between the two. Do you know if the Nurse role includes any front line work as I would really like to be involved in the front line hospitals.

I have heard people mention the RAF as an option, is it generally better overall??

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