Case Study - Employment - Tammy Smyth
Having joined the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corp in February 2001 at the age of 19,
Tammy went on to study for her BSc in Adult Nursing and on gaining promotion to Cpl., Tammy had
various postings culminating in a seven month tour of Iraq in 2005.
Whilst stationed in Almatharna Tammy was responsible for undertaking primary care duties as a
nurse to the two battle groups stationed there, as well as providing education and training as a
health professional primarily to women in the local community. In March 2006, Tammy’s camp came
under attack and she sustained injuries to both ankles and left shoulder.
Following several years of operations and rehab to her ankles and other lower limb injuries
sustained Tammy will be medically discharged from the Army on 30th Jan 2013. During assessment
leading up to her medical discharge, Tammy identified a ‘practice manager’ as her ideal career path.
Through this, she established that she could fully use her previously gained medical knowledge and
qualifications, although she recognised a need to obtain further qualifications. She was proactive in
reaching out for appropriate funding and organising necessary work placement and we were able to
provide funding of £2,266 towards course fees.
Although there was an initial feeling of distress with regards to leaving the military, the support of
WWTW has enabled Tammy to return to university in Wrexham where she is studying a post
graduate diploma in Community Specialist Practice (General Practice Nursing). Tammy commented:
“I am being supported by my local GP surgery in Wallasey as the course requires practical work as
well as theory. The financial support provided by Walking With The Wounded through their Bursary
Scheme has enabled me to rebuild my life and nursing career away from the military and helped me
to achieve the goals and challenges that I have had to revise since sustaining my injuries.”
Patron Prince Harry
Walking with the Wounded, Registered Charity Number: 1133558
Stody Hall Barns, Stody, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2ED Tel: 01263 863 900
Website: www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk