Royal Navy veteran says his NHS nurse mum inspired him to follow in her footsteps

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces Community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that Armed Forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

In supporting the Armed Forces the Trust has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and NHS Employers Step into Health programme. Armed Forces and their families include: Service leavers, Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Forces Adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving.

We’re sharing stories from our reservists and veterans who, having had a career in the Armed Forces have now chosen to continue their career in the NHS.

Simon Ralls is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Veterans and has worked at the Trust for 30 years. He joined the Royal Navy straight from school to follow a career in engineering and to have the opportunity to travel. Hear from Simon as he talks about his time in the Royal Navy and what made him choose a career in the NHS.

Simon Ralls, aged 16, undertaking his
training at HMS Sultan, Gosport

Simon’s story:

“I trained in the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineering Mechanic (Mechanical), more affectionately known as a Stoker.  Marine Engineers are specialist technical professionals who design, develop, build, install, inspect and maintain the propulsion systems, engines, pumps and other pieces of technical equipment that make ships and submarines function effectively.

“Marine Engineers played an intrinsic role in the ship’s firefighting and damage control teams that were required to respond to any eventuality that may occur whilst at sea.

What is your role and what made you decide to work for the NHS?

“My mum was an NHS nurse during the whole of her adult life, only retiring when she was 72, which still amazes me to this day. She was the inspiration for me to follow in her footsteps as she always spoke so fondly of her time working in her various NHS nursing roles. I’d tried my hand at other jobs after leaving the Royal Navy (working as a civil servant, in a building society and as a postman) but none of them captured the spirit of the armed forces.

“I feel very lucky to be employed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Veterans working within Offender Health. I work as part of the Veteran Care Through Custody project which was developed following reports that prison services offered were affected by a limited understanding of the background and specific needs of veteran offenders.  

“The project has been developed to honour the commitments enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant, which the Trust is currently looking to renew, and to provide services to veterans in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire prisons that are equivalent to those serves provided in the community.

“Nottinghamshire Health’s Veteran Care Through Custody project is currently working with 2 veteran Charities Care After Combat and Project Nova as part of a pathfinder called Regroup. The pathfinder supports veterans who find themselves in the Criminal Justice System, prior to sentencing, whilst in prison and post sentence. The aim is to support a reduction in the re-offending rates of military veterans. The pathfinder is led by Dr Janes Jones who is the Trust’s Clinical / Project Lead for Veterans.

Members of Regroup attending an NHS Veterans Conference.
Simon (left), Dr Jane Jones, Trust Clinical/Project Lead for Veterans (centre) joined by representatives from Care after Combat, Project Nova and NHS England.

How does your NHS work compare to your work you undertook in the Armed Forces?

Whilst many of the qualities required to undertake my role as a Marine Engineer transferred to my nursing career the actual jobs themselves are best summed up as chalk and cheese. In the Royal Navy I spent most of my time wearing overalls, spanners in hand whilst covered in oil and diesel; it’s not something I’ve found myself doing in the NHS. If you would have told me back then that I would have gone on to become a nurse I would have probably laughed but over 30 years later here I am.

What qualities and skills have been transferable to life working in the NHS?

The military teaches you to use effective communication skills and to work well within a team which are qualities that are required to work effectively within the NHS. Record keeping was key in military life and is crucial in nursing. Effective time keeping, attention to detail and above all else a good sense of humour have translated well from the Royal Navy to working in the NHS.

Simon's passing out parade at HMS Raleigh

In what ways have you been supported by the Trust as a veteran/reservist?

I’ve been supported to utilise my military background to work with armed forces veterans for the past ten years within the Criminal Justice System, which in turn led me to apply for my current role.

Have you supported the work in the vaccination centres? If so, what was your involvement?

I applied to be part of the team implementing the vaccination programme at Kings Mill Hospital but unfortunately, I have had to be part of the shielding cohort. I plan to reapply now that shielding has ended to support this important programme.

I’d recommend a career in the NHS to military veterans as there is a diversity of roles that can utilise many of the skills learned whilst serving in the armed forces. 

If you are currently employed in the armed forces and interested in exploring future employment opportunities at the Trust, why not check out of vacancies: recruitment.nottshc.nhs.uk/

For further information about careers in the NHS Working in health | Health Careers 

For further information about the NHS Employers’ Step into Health programme, visit the Transition into an NHS career | Step Into Health (militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk) or email Jackie.hogan@nottshc.nhs.uk.