Do you have any questions about returning to nursing? NHS experts have answered questions

[EllieMumsnet]

Becoming a parent is one of the most fulfilling jobs that most will ever encounter; it is an amazing time for all. It can also mean that parents may seek a new career path after their parental leave or decide they'd prefer to go back to what they were doing before. If you've been a nurse in the past and would like to get back into it, the NHS would love to answer any questions you may have. Raych is a returnee nurse and Joy is from Health Education England. They can answer your questions about training and support.

Here is what the NHS has to say: “Your nursing skills and experience are needed more than ever before. There has never been a better time to return to nursing and it is easier than you might think. We have fully funded return to practice courses across England; your course will be paid for, and you'll receive at least £500 to help with travel, childcare and book costs. Mentors and tutors will be available throughout your course to build your confidence and get you ready to come back. The length of your course will depend on how long you've been out of practice but wont take longer than 12 months.”

Here is some more information on Raych: Raych qualified as a nurse in 1996 and worked at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, then moved overseas and began a family. She left the profession in 2010 to focus on juggling her family's busy commitments. As her circumstances gradually changed she investigated a return to nursing, then last July, everything came together and she was able to do the Return to Practice course whilst working at the Royal Papworth Hospital. Following this her PIN was reactivated in March 2019 and she is now back in the career she loves.

Here is some information on Joy: Joy has been in the NHS for more than 30 years and is a nurse by background. She is passionate about encouraging nurses to return to practice and has extensive experience of supporting them to successfully return to the nursing workforce. Ask her your questions!

Maybe you’d like to know some more information on how to get into nursing? Would you like to know exactly what the job entails and if any flexible working is available? Are you an ex-nurse wanting to return and have a few questions on exactly how to go about doing this? Or maybe you have questions about the application and training process?

Whatever questions you have about nursing (whether it’s returning to or wanting to start), ask them on the thread below and we will choose approximately 10 for Raych and Joy to answer. Everyone who posts their questions will be entered into a prize draw where 3 MNers will win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

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@Ali1cedowntherabbithole NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, thanks for your question, I hope you understand that I can’t answer all your queries as each clinical area and personal situation is different. Saying this, you would be able to ask these questions at your interview as the employer should be able to address your concerns. Not every nurse who has returned has the best experience but generally the feedback is extremely positive. They love being back in the nursing workplace and say that as long you find a nursing job that suits your skills and expertise, you’ll also feel the same job satisfaction and enjoyment that they have."

@madcatladyforever NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, thanks for your question, many clinical areas are flexible with hours worked. You should discuss this at your interview so that a more shift pattern that works for you is agreed.You need a formal qualification to become a health visitor, which usually takes around a year. One of the routes you could take is a return to practice course in a community setting e.g. district nursing, community hospital, a nursing home or a GP surgery. If you were interested in general practice nursing, there is a specific return to practice course at several universities. You can find out more about it on the Health Careers website."

@BuntyBonus NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, the best idea is to speak to the NMC to check if your current practice meets their re-validation standards. The NMC revalidation guidance document is also very helpful. If you have to do a return to practice course, part time courses are available and usually take between 3-12 months, depending on you individual needs and circumstances such as how long you are out of practice."

@DuckWillow NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, sorry to hear about your experience. We are looking for nurses to come back to all fields including learning disability. In fact, there is specific action being taken around learning disability nursing as it is a crucial area where we need more nurses. You can also find return to practice midwifery courses on the Health Careers course finder. The hours you spend on placement will vary and be negotiated with you, depending how long you have been off the NMC register."

@Babyroobs NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, we hope that you don’t leave but if you do feel like you need a break, and are unable to re-validate after leaving, you would be required to undertake a period of return to practice.Nurses wanting to re-join the register after January 2020 will be able to undertake a test of competence rather than undertaken a return to practice course so this could be an option for you. However, if you are looking to return earlier than this, you will still need to do a course. We also don’t know how much preparation will be needed for the test or how will it implemented so it could be that it is not the right for everyone. More information on the test should be available later in the year."

@PutYourShirtOnMartin & @meandthem NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Hi, it is a tricky to answer your question as it would really depend on the results of the occupational health questionnaire or assessment which you would have to do to be accepted onto a course. It may be worth discussing this with the university providing return to practice courses closest to you. They will be able to give you guidance. You can find all the providers in England on the Health Careers course finder. Best of luck!"

@NicoAndTheNiners NHS would like to answer your question below:

"Yes, you are right. From early 2020 nurses wanting to re-join the register following a career break will be able to undertake a test of competence rather than a return to practice course. However, if you are looking to return earlier than this, you will still need to do a course. We also don’t know how much preparation will be needed for the test or how will it implemented so it could be that it is not the right for everyone. More detail should be available later in the year."

Hi @EllieMumsnet have you selected the 3 mumnetters who posted yet, I could not see anything on this thread. Thanks

Thanks for all your comments and congratulations to @NicoAndTheNiners & @DuckWillow & @TwinsTrollsandHunz for each winning a £100 voucher!