Return to Practice at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers support for registrants who wish to return to the NMC register via two routes.

     1 University based RTP programme

     2 Test of competence

Both programmes aim to give you the confidence to adapt to changes in practice thus enabling you to re-awaken the knowledge you have and benefit from the wealth of experience that you have gained in those intervening years.

Criteria

  • Your registration with the UK Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) has lapsed and you have not practiced as a Nurse in the last 3 years.
  • You wish to seek employment as a band 5 Nurse with the NNUH upon successful completion of the Return to Practice programme.

University based programme

You will be registered as a student with the education provider and undertake your placement at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (placement area dependent on student capacity).

Your RTP course fees will be paid, and you will receive a bursary when you commence the course.

  • You will complete a weeklong induction
  • You need to complete approximately 15 hours of clinical practice per week
  • Each week for the first 10 weeks you will need to attend a study day (may be remote) at the university or some online learning activity
  • You will need to undertake personal study and complete several assignments.

Clinical placement experience

The practice element of the programme is undertaken in one clinical setting. We aim to offer you a placement in an area in which you may have had previous experience and are most likely to feel comfortable, however placement availability is dependent on total student numbers in that area. You will be supernumerary and therefore able to concentrate on your learning needs. The placement hours requirement is approximately 150-350 hrs (dependent on length of time away from practice).

How do I apply?

  • Apply to the Trust RTP lead for a placement offer. The lead will request availability of a suitable placement via the placements team.
  • Apply to your university of choice. We currently work with Anglia Ruskin university but will work with other education providers.

 Test of competence programme

You will be employed as an HCA in a substantive post in the Trust and released to prepare for and take the Test of competence to regain your registration.

You must undertake a conversation with your manager where they must agree to:

  • To release you for the 4 weeks of the OSCE training programme.
  • Pay you as a band 4 during this period and leading up to your re-registration.
  • Have a suitable band 5 ESR post for you on completion of the programme.

Once this is agreed you will be offered the next available OSCE training programme. These currently run 1-2 times per year.

Your course fees and OSCE fees will be paid. You will continue to receive a HCA salary until registered.

How to apply

  • Contact the RTP lead for a career discussion and advice re opportunities.
  • Apply for any suitable HCA post via the NNUH website.

What happens if I want to return to Nursing in another setting?

You should look for a RTP advert on the website of the organisation that you wish to work for. If this is not available contact the regional lead for return to practice Mandy Kerr mandy.kerr6@nhs.net or check the NMC or Health Education England website.

NNUH RTP lead Nurse: Stevie Savage, Practice Development Nurse. Contact via Microsoft Teams or email stevie.savage@nnuh.nhs.uk