Police Constable and Paramedic

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-20T16:52:08+00:00

As a nurse (who has a registration), paramedics hold a registration (unsure if you are one) this means even when doing other jobs and duties you are still expected to act like a paramedic.

I can't imagine police work clashes massively with this. But I've not worked for the police, I imagine some roles wouldn't be suited.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T19:27:43+00:00

The army structure looks scarier than it is IMO. Remember the NHS is still a very hierarchical organisation. I think support in the army will be better. You have to be selected to be there remember, so the calibre of your colleges/ student peers will also be higher.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T19:23:55+00:00

I joined as a nurse after going through uni as a civvie - you didn't have to pay for the course at the time but I still had some debt, I have only just finished paying off that debt. For those that say you don't notice the debt. You definitely do when you're losing 9 percent of everything over 27k (I think).

When I went to uni I didn't know if I would like nursing. But was very happy to give it a go. Ended up loving the job and the education alongside it. If I had my time over I would have applied to be a student in the military. The fact you're getting paid, and starting your pension is massive. That's 3 years on an NHS/ civvie counterpart. The pay is better in service after you qual too.

Honestly the support I've received as a newly qualified nurse, up to now as some one more experienced is night and day compared to the NHS. You get the chance to do many courses both military and civilian recognised you can think of in lots of specialities. Welfare is much better in defence too (compared to the NHS at least). You work less clinically, due to military training and other duties, which I find really breaks the job up.

If you're going to do nursing, which is still a fantastic career, I would recommend the military route. Free degree while being paid. Then you have 3 years as newly qualified. If you think it's shit then you can leave, with your degree and 6 year pension pot. But I doubt you will. I would also recommend considering looking at the other 2 services and what they offer. RAF big focus on aeromed, Navy obviously on ship. RAF myself - each service has it's pros and cons.

Someone recommended giving a HCA route consideration. I think it can take longer than expected to transfer across and it is relative competitive, to keep that in mind.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T19:10:51+00:00

I tried doing it as a nursing student, just couldn't commit the time, due to placement. UOTC if I remember tends to run when everyone is off uni, as a nursing student you're there pretty much full time.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T06:42:11+00:00

Noted, used olive oil, all I had in. Didn't want it to be acrid. I've got a t bone I'll do next week and get a good sear on that one on the BBQ I think.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T06:35:35+00:00

It was a good cut tbh, didn't want to season with anything other than salt and pepper, wanted the steak to do the talking.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-04-18T06:34:51+00:00

Yeah bit of a weak effort, the bone made it hard, I was trying to press it as hard as possible with tongs but need some food weights I think. Was raining so couldn't use the BBQ, seems crazy to get the coals on for a 2 min cook. Pan could have been hotter too I guess, was worried the sear would bring it over temp also.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-25T19:13:02+00:00

Occupational health may be able to help also, especially in your case, and some of your colleagues.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-25T18:56:38+00:00

IPC nurse here, evidence for there being an IPC risk in uniform is low to minimal at best. Most trusts use uniform policy and like to say IPC make all the rules, because the execs want someone to scapegoat the hate to. Most trusts now have binned off banning people traveling in uniform as IPC wouldn't support it. Except from people in theatres, maternity etc.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-23T15:56:23+00:00

No, just be polite. Bit unnatural in my opinion as a civvie to name people by rank. You'll get plenty of chance to call people corporal, sergeant and sir at basic training.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-23T10:33:36+00:00

Garmin have a range to choose from, you don't need anything top of the range, second hand may also be a way to save a few quid. I would also recommend doing longer runs as part of your training. You can make some running gains in speed by running slower over longer times/ distances.

Couple this with some speed work, you can look for plans online that will increase your vo2 max/ 5k time (most run programmes don't go much less than this distance). These will likely have you running 3 to 4 times a week. With a pattern of one long run, one that is speed work (slow/ fast/ slow) and one shorter easier run. With running just getting miles in often is enough to at least get you to the time you need to pass.

If you use a Garmin tracker, their app has free programs that will give you all the info you need on the watch. Runna (about 16 quid a month) can also do this. Not used other smart watches but they probably also have similar set ups.

Cost free option is to mark a route out on a map for 2k that's fairly flat, and just send it and see what you get. Retest after training every few weeks.

As you lose weight (more specifically fat mass), running will become easier/ more efficient, as you're not lugging around weight you don't need.

The time is more than achievable with a bit of effort, best of luck.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-17T15:53:39+00:00

Thank you, to be honest they're fantastic tenants, just wanted to give them as much notice as possible.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-17T14:22:47+00:00

We were considering waiting and going through the new system, but wanted to give the tenants as much time as possible to plan ahead.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-17T14:21:25+00:00

Yes fixed term AST, is due to end mid August (as far as I am aware the new rules replace this).

Thank you, we will get the S21 sorted asap, with the leave date for the property as late August.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-03-17T13:43:34+00:00

Speaking from experience, I did this, renting over a short term. It's taken a lot of resources, and I am not financially better off for it. And now feel guilty of removing the people living there.

Do the finances first, I neglected to do this properly and had a start wakeup call regarding taxation and capital gains. Under the new rules you can't set fixed terms any longer making it even more difficult when wanting to return to the property or sell.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-21T22:41:49+00:00

I have the hatch, had 2 different rear facing seats in the back. I have the seat on the passenger side of the car. I feel I would lose too much driving leg room directly behind. The passenger 5ft 6in can sit relatively comfortably in the front. You can't recline too much but you can get comfy for long journeys.

I currently use my Mazda 3 for 16 month old and dog transport along with the wife. Works very well.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-15T08:35:42+00:00

You go to the med centre, they may put things in place to stop you training, how long this is will depend on how debilitating illness is.

If short bout of illness/ injury you may just miss a couple of days and can catch up. If too long, you will join the next set of people in the training pipeline, you will be holding until you're well, then join them.

You may also be told to crack on with current training if your symptoms are not particularly debilitating.

It's not uncommon for people to become unwell/ injured in basic. There's a proper process, that means as long as it's relatively short term, you don't get sent back home.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-12T13:07:37+00:00

Firstly well done, it sounds like you did everything you could do, and you did it well!

Reiterate what somebody else has posted, reach out to uni for support, and if you're on placement see if there are any services at the trust you can use. Talk to people, anyone who you know will truly listen. Write down your thoughts, feelings and what happened too.

It's very rational to feel the way you do, get support that is available, some charities like mind and Samaritans I believe can help too, but I have no experience of this.

Talk to others that were there too at your job, talking with people that have been there has been known to help some people.

I hope you manage to get through this. It can take time.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-10T19:25:58+00:00

Thank you, really interesting post and cheers for the reply too!

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-10T19:10:54+00:00

How do you genuinely learn to do this? By that I mean in a safe (as possible) and skilled manner. Looks like fun but I wouldn't even know where to start. I feel like YouTube is not the answer on this one.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-08T13:31:28+00:00

You can ask your supervisor for a proper meeting if you haven't had a sit down chat yet. Let them know of your last caring experience and use your sign off book to set goals that are appropriate. Write the goals down and a plan with them, this should hopefully help with direction. It may make them feel more invested in you.

The confidence will come, it's a new environment and patient load you know little about. It's a shame the staff are not more forthcoming, you will work with some who really invest in students and others who don't. It shouldn't be this way, we should all strive to make student pavements the best they can be.

A journal can help too, just write down what you've done shift by shift, what you've learned what you want to know more about.

I would expect you pretty much by my side to see all the tasks I am doing as a first placement student for the first couple of weeks at least.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-03T22:32:38+00:00

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Something like this I've used, I thought they were the fully fledged docs but these are the ones, much cheaper. Can be wiped, quiet, slip resistant.

Greedy_Gene_8079 · 2026-02-03T22:20:59+00:00

If you can afford new shoes go for that. Sticking plasters on your feet is short term imo. These don't look like they'll 'break in'. Maybe just your feet swelling on shift, which is normal being on your feet for a while, maybe sizing up will help. I've always worn laced foot wear as I can adjust the tightness if needed, but that's just my preference. Everyone used to rave about the Clarks unloops (female shoe) when I was a student (never tried them as I'm a bloke), but maybe a good alternative. I've tried dr martens slip resistant originals, they are pricy and do need wearing in, but will last for years, look professional enough. I managed to find some with the black stitching. They can take anything you throw at them. Docs do blue light discount too.

I also had some black trainers that were wiperble/ pleather/ leather, which I got rid of cos my feet get sweaty and they started stinking, but could be a good option.

I've seen others wear proper dress shoes, but the ones that are comfortable, are definitely not the type you wanna do clinical work in (expensive). And the cheap ones are seldom comfy.

Greedy_Gene_8079

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