Returning to Practice

Have you previously been registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a qualified nurse, but your NMC nursing registration has lapsed?

Have you been thinking about using your NMC nursing qualification again?

If you have, then we want to hear from you.

What is Return to Practice? 

If you have previously been a registered nurse and wish to return to the profession then you may need to undertake a Return to Practice (RTP) programme. The programme allows you to update your skills and knowledge so that you can become re-registered and return to work in nursing. The course will take approximately three months to complete, although some people may take longer depending on clinical placement hours required, the length of time out of practice and length of time previously in practice. Courses are flexible to fit around existing commitments, such as childcare.

The Return to Practice course is open to all, regardless of how long you have been out of practice, and will update you on any new developments in nursing. You will have support and mentoring throughout the course.

Return to Practice gives individuals, who have been registered nurses previously, the chance to return to the profession by undertaking a Return to Practice programme.  The programme offers healthcare providers such as East Cheshire NHS Trust the opportunity to employ nurses who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them.

How is the course funded?

Health Education England will provide a one off contribution of £500 to nurses returning to practice to assist with costs and expenses such as purchasing books, car parking, child care etc. Health Education England will also pay for the course for returnees as well as contribute to placement costs. The funding is available for nurses who currently reside and work in England.

The Return to Practice course is fully funded by Health Education England who provides you with a practice placement, classroom learning provided by a local university and a small remuneration. 

The Return to Practice programme

The course will take approximately three months to complete, A minimum of 150 clinical hours is expected, although some people may take longer depending on the length of time they have been out of practice.

The Return to Practice programme is a combination of classroom and placement based learning which takes between 3 and 6 months to complete.  Throughout the programme the learner will develop a portfolio, demonstrating skills, which will be sent to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to record the completion of their Return to Practice programme and re-registration.

The course will take approximately three months to complete, although some may take longer dependent on clinical placement hours required, length of time out of practice and length of time previously in practice.  During this time the learners will be expected to complete They must be allocated to a sign off mentor whilst on placement.

East Cheshire NHS Trust works in partnership with the 'The University of Chester to support the Return to Practice courses usually commence in March and October each year; for more information about this course visit their webpage, with this link.​​​

Events

East Cheshire NHS Trust regularly hosts Staff Nurse recruitment open events, where staff will be around to talk to anyone who is thinking about returning to practice, and what we can offer you once you successfully complete the course.

How do I apply?

There are a number of Universities who run the return to practice programme. Decide which of the six universities within the North West you wish to undertake your return to practice programme with and contact them directly. The university will assist you in identifying your learning requirements and help you source an appropriate placement within our healthcare organisation. We work closely with the following universities;

Contact details at East Cheshire: