Return to Practice nurses....any just completed the training?

[User48751490]

Looking to find out more about anyone who has returned to nursing after a long career break.

How did you find it? Did you get offered flexible working if you have a busy family life?

Would especially like to speak to anyone who has done this in Scotland due to funding being provided by the Scottish Government.

Not Scotland but I completed the course in 2019. I returned after 7 years. I’m in England and the course was funded by PHE.

I was offered ‘flexible’ working as I am a parent carer, but it wasn’t very flexible, the offer was limited to one ward and it really wasn’t successful - I only stayed a few months and then moved to community.

I didn’t find the course itself difficult. It was hard to get skills signed off simply because pinning an RN down to observe and then go through the paperwork wasn’t easy in the area I was working in. I was treated like an HCA a lot of the time and had to be a bit pushy to work with a RN. The essay was reflective so wasn’t massively challenging in my opinion. I chose a subject that there was plenty of research on and built it from there.

As I said above - I was offered a job on my placement ward, which was the only one in the entire hospital that could accommodate my flexible working request and wasn’t an area I would have chosen freely. I ended up miserable and left after a few months. I now work in the community and find the hours much better, the team I’m in is much, much nicer than the hospital ward and overall I’m happier and can now say the RTP was worth it. If you’d have asked me that at the end of 2019 I’m not sure I would’ve said the same!

@BabbleBee that's great news that it has ultimately been worth it. I think being flexible for those of us with families is really going to be the most important factor. I am really pleased you found your dream job afterwards though - definitely makes it worthwhile 😊

I am MH trained so would be looking for a community post as well, CAMHS would be ideal. Going to make some enquiries with the university offering the funding.

If I had to do the placement on a ward then it's unlikely I would be going forward with the course due to childcare issues. Youngest is 4yo.

@User48751490 Not everyone on the course was in hospital placements, there was Practice Nurse, private hospital, outpatients… I can’t remember if anyone was in the community. We had one MH nurse, I think he was acute assessment unit or something similar. The university organised some placements but most of us knew where we wanted to be and approached ward sister / speciality managers ourselves and requested. Nearly all of us were offered employment from our placements, so I’d advise you to make contact with the university, find out which hospital they use and then also have an informal conversation with potential placement too. Those early conversations are very helpful in securing placements and ultimately employment too.

I’m going to start my MSc this year, it has definitely been helpful going back to the same Uni I did my RTP with in getting on the course and having assistance with funding!

Sorry I should have said ask the university which Trust they use, not hospital!

@BabbleBee Well, that's reassuring that you can go on various types of placements from the cohort you were with - not solely ward based.

Definitely, going to phone the university and ask a few questions. Thank you.

Good luck with your MSc this year - exciting!!

@User48751490 Thank you! I can’t wait to get started… it’s the first time I’ve ever had a really clear plan and direction of where I want to go career wise. I’ve found the community infinitely more supportive for progression.

Good luck to you too! The other thing that just occurred to me is have a look for recruitment drives in your local trusts, they sometimes include RTP.

You don’t have to do a course anymore, you can just do an exam.

www.nmc.org.uk/registration/returning-to-the-register/return-test-of-competence/

No thanks, would rather get some practice hours in. - haven't practiced in years!

I looked into this but it's rather expensive