Page 20 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

18 QARANC THE GAZETTE
QARANC’s newest nurses graduate from the Defence School of Healthcare Education
At DMS (W) on 8 April 2016, cohort 04/13 were presented with their certificates of achievement for the Transition to Military Practice course by the Dean of the Department of Healthcare Education and Training, Brig Simpson L/RAMC. Refreshments were kindly provided by the QA Association. This presentation marked the culmination of three years of study, which led to the award of a BSc (Hons) degree in adult or mental health nursing.
Our cohort arrived at Hamstead Campus in April 2013. This consisted of a fifty-fifty mixture of fresh-from- basic training direct entrants and trade transfers from areas as diverse as the marines, RMP, household cavalry and signals. The accommodation for the duration of the course consisted of six-man mixed rank flats at Hamstead Campus, Handsworth Wood. This ex- ecumenical college, equipped with a small gym and the coveted two washers and dryers as well as ‘The Bin’ – the on campus bar – would provide a picturesque backdrop not only for day-to-day life, but for events such as DHE sports day, summer BBQs and battlefield PT. PT sessions took place in the Handsworth public gym at 0700hours Monday to Thursday. Sessions varied from running and interval training initially, to more cross- fit style workouts in later months.
Our university education took place at the Seacole building in Edgbaston as part of the Birmingham City University’s BSc (Hons) Nursing intake. We would spend up to four days a week here
undergoing the same academic programme as our civilian counterparts. Additionally we attended a minimum of two mandatory PT sessions per week and military educational sessions on Wednesday afternoons on topics as diverse as ‘burns and plastics in the military’, ‘what do biomedical scientists do’ and the basics of dental nursing. Cohort roles such as IC, 2ic, physical training representative and clothing representative were assigned and rotated throughout the three years in order to give members experience of leadership or management responsibilities.
It wasn’t all work, however. From the Coltman 500 stretcher race to volunteering as moulage ‘victims’ for the 2.2 Patrol Medics course at Hereford, I and other members have had the opportunity to participate in many exciting extra-curricular activities.
In our first year of study Cpl Lennon, a fellow cohort member, kindly volunteered to organise an adventurous training week of water sports in Exmouth. Having driven to Exmouth at the beginning of the week, we participated in an exciting programme including coasteering and powerboating. Despite the cool weather conditions, the activities were greatly enjoyed by all, especially the coasteering day during which we tested our nerve, discovered (and defeated) previously unknown fears of heights and just about avoided being swept out to sea! Whilst in the areas we also visited marine training facilities, witnessing the infamous mud run.
During our second year, several of the cohorts decided to apply for direct entry nursing commissions. This process began with an interview with our Student Support Officer at the time, Capt Reed (now Maj Reed), followed by a day of assessment by the DHE staff. This included delivering a presentation on an unseen topic and completing a planning exercise – something some of us had never attempted before. We then moved on to initial pre-board at Westbury. Over the course of two days we were again assessed on skills such as debate, current affairs knowledge and physical ability. Possibly the strangest of these was the assault course, which included running over waist-height hurdles, something that the smallest of us had to do four times before completing it without kicking hurdles everywhere.
Those that passed pre-board then loaded onto main board selection six months later. Assessments here were similar but more stringent, the assault courses bigger and the interviews more intense. Despite this we got through, mostly by laughing, and two of us look forward to attending Sandhurst in September 2016, with a third due to attend main board imminently.
Consolidation and Preparation (CAP) periods took place at the end of each academic year. Initially these were self- directed, with the opportunity to take part in placements of the students’ choice. 04/13 students organised activities such as placements in renal dialysis, with West Midlands Ambulance service, in hospices, with bariatric nurses and carrying out military activities. More recently a new CAP directive came into play, requiring an AT activity to be completed as well as directed sessions such as physical training and MATTs.
In accordance with this, during our final CAP period, 04/13 was split into two groups, the first of which went to Wales, whilst the remainder of us travelled to Inverness to try our hand at mountain biking. Having picked up a vehicle, myself, Cpl Brereton and Ptes Bradley, Hood, Jackson and Peacock (QA) drove ourselves to Scotland on a Sunday morning, stopping near Fort William to take in the scenery and see the marines’ memorial. We then spent five days under the tutelage of a civilian instructor, attempting to learn