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Need to Cancel / Change an Appointment visit: Cancel or change your appointment? :: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (dgt.nhs.uk)

Appointment text reminder service: Appointment text reminder service :: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (dgt.nhs.uk) somewhere on here so people are directed to this page? Any suggestions of how this is possible are very welcome. 

 

 

Return to Practice - Nursing

Introduction to Return to Practice 

Registered Nurses

Now is a great time to return! Our programme will support you and enable you to renew your registration with your professional body and re-enter practice with competence and confidence.  

Not to forget that there are also jobs available! 

We know that you already have the skills and experience that can make a big difference to patients, clients, carers and their families so we are keen to get you back.

Frequently asked questions

If your registration has lapsed, you'll either complete an NMC-approved return to practice course which takes between three and 12 months and/or do a Test of Competence. 

Courses

There are RtP nursing courses across England. The amount of retraining you require depends on how long you have been out of practice. The longer you have been out of practice, the more practice hours you will need to complete. 

Test of competence

The test of competence is made up of:

·         a multiple-choice computer based test (CBT)

·         a practical test known as the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

You can apply through the NMC website where you'll also find materials and reading to help you prepare. There is a cost for taking the test and the NHS will pay this but you may have to pay up front. You can then claim reimbursement once you have registered with the NMC and are in employment. 

Active registration

If you have been out of clinical practice but your registration is still active, you can apply for a post and establish if you can be supported by a preceptorship programme. The programme will support you to update your skills and knowledge and ensure that you are job ready.

HEE South East will pay for the tuition/university fees associated with the programme and will also provide you with a bursary to cover any out-of-pocket expenses (should you not be supported by an employing organisation), such as book costs, travel, and childcare, depending on the route you choose to return. This is currently £1000. 

Funding for tuition fees is paid by HEE South East directly to your chosen university, and the bursary is either paid to the university or to the organisation supporting your placement, who then manages the transfer of the bursary to you. If you are employed in a healthcare role and being released to attend the Return to Practice course, you do not normally qualify for the bursary.

The programme usually takes between three and nine months to complete, depending on how long you have been away from practice and how quickly you complete your clinical proficiencies and placement hours. The length of time required to complete the programme will be established during an interview and further discussion you have with your university and the placement provider. For many universities, it is a set amount of hours and can also be dependable on how long it may take to complete the practice document.

Paula and Andrea have both returned to practice - listen to their stories

Paula's story

Andrea's story

South East Universities - find out more

Return to Practice - Canterbury Christ Church University

Key contact: kate.devis@canterbury.ac.uk  

Which healthcare setting would you return to?

Organisations

Get in touch

Key contacts:

List of files:

Manager's Guide South East

Return to Practice Guide for Prospective Returners

Standards for Return to Practice Programmes

If you are no longer a registered midwife, there are three ways you can return:

If you are already registered, you can look for vacancies on NHS jobs.

You can read the full requirements on the NMC website.

If you do not meet these requirements, you can re-join the register by completing a Test of Competence or a Return to Practice course.

List of files:

Return to Midwifery - attracting midwives back into the NHS

Kent and Medway Training Hub:

Sara Jane Kray, East Kent - sara-jane.kray@nhs.net

Yvoone Wilson, North Kent - Yvonne.wilson10@nhs.net

Philly Adams, West Kent - Philly.adams@nhs.net

 

List of files:

Growing your own clinical staff

Primary Care Nursing - letter to RtP students

Primary Care and GPN Framework

Key contacts:

Lynn Spicer - Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust - lynnspicer@nhs.net

Rebecca Parr - HCRG Care Group Community - Rebecca.Parr@hcrgcaregroup.com 

Tracey Shaw - Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust - t.shaw2@nhs.net

 

List of files:

RtP Tracking Spreadsheet

Prospective Return to Practice Initial Contact

Return to Practice Recruitment Step by Step Guide

Job Description

 

Key contacts:

Lynn Spicer - Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust - lynnspicer@nhs.net

Charmaine's story

"In 2012, I completed a Return to Midwifery Practice programme with a neighbouring Trust in South London, after a period of 8 years away. Despite missing midwifery in my time away, I felt an initial sense of trepidation and anxiety about returning to practice. This soon disappeared when I stepped back in and my skills and knowledge quickly came flooding back!   
On completion of the programme, I was delighted to be appointed a Band 5 Midwife role with Dartford and Gravesham. When I started in August 2012, I was given a warm welcome and soon felt part of a team. I was very well supported throughout the preceptorship programme and beyond. I always felt a strong sense of belonging and part of happy and diverse, yet cohesive multi-disciplinary team, united in delivering quality, safe care to women and birthing people and always felt able to share my ideas and have my voice heard. 
I have been nurtured and supported throughout my DGT career to grow in confidence and develop personally and professionally. I have been encouraged to progress and have been successful in several rewarding and fulfilling midwifery roles within my DGT career, including Specialist Midwife and Team Leader. I am now the Head of Patient & Public Engagement for the Trust in another role where I can continue to make a positive contribution to the DGT Community. 
Returning to practice can be daunting, but DGT provides such a supportive learning environment for all staff that these feelings don’t last for long before you’re on the path to a rewarding RTP Career."

Julia's case study

Julia Speight works as a Practice Nurse at Woodlands Health Centre in Paddock Wood. Click here to read her story.

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Page last edited: 14 February 2023