What's a typical day like for a regular soldier/ adult nurse /officer, the shift pattern and hours of work per week?

Hello,

Nursing officers can have very different roles, and as such their shift pattern and working hours will also vary.

A nursing officer working in a JHG hospital, such as the QE, Frimley Park Hospital or Portsmouth, will work a similar shift pattern to their NHS colleagues. Although often there will be more military nurses per rota slot so that they can also fulfil other military commitments without leaving a ward short staffed.

A nursing officer working as a troop commander may work 0800-1630 on weekdays, with the occasional week 'on call' for the regiment. They won't necessarily have any clinical work while in this role.

A nursing officer may also work at a training establishment, their hours will depend on what the phase 1 recruits are doing that week.

They could also have a job in a military medical centre, in which case the hours are likely to be 0800-1630 on weekdays, although some medical centres do have facilities for soldiers to stay in (like a ward), in which case they may also work overnight.

I hope that helps answer your question.

Thank you

Hi, Just to add to this question. So if we worked in the QA for example would we be on the shifts whilst working in the hospital e.g 12 hours shifts? What is general day to day life like do we have phys or we are to do our own? How often do nurses go on exercise? Do nurses move post every two years or are they based at one camp unless deployed?? Thank you :)

Hi Sarah,

All nurses are part of the QARANC regardless of current role. If you work in a hospital then yes, you may do some 12 hours shifts. A nursing colleague said their timetable would consist of four short shifts and a military day each week, but they would also do one or two nights a month, one or two weekend shifts and one or two long days.

Nurses will do most of their own phys if they are working in a JHG or DPHC, but if they are at a medical regiment they will usually take part in regimental phys.

How often they go on exercise is vary variable and will depend on their current posting as well as what is going on in the wider army. Nurses may be 'trawled' to go on exercise or deploy with regiments they don't currently work with.

Postings are usually every 2-3 years.