How do I return to nursing?

Following a career break, there are lots of options for you to return to nursing. Refresh your skills and knowledge so you can confidently return to the nursing workforce. Before returning, you’ll need to re-join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. Depending on the time you have spent out of nursing, you can either reapply or complete a return to nursing course such as this one.

How long is a return to nursing course?

At UCLan, the theoretical element of the return to nursing practice course is 12 weeks long. You'll also need to complete between 150 – 450 hours of clinical practice. Clinical hours are assessed following a successful interview using a diagnostic assessment tool.

What happens if my nursing registration lapsed?

If your nursing registration has lapsed within six months of its’ revalidation date you’ll need to check your options on the NMC website . In some cases, you can apply for readmission.

Return to Practice Nursing/Nursing Associate Course

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Is nursing still in your heart? Come back to the career your love. Our Return to Practice Nursing course provides an opportunity to return to the Professional Register.

This course is ideal for you if your registration has lapsed or you're unable to meet the requirements of NMC revalidation. On successful completion of this certificate, you'll be eligible to re-register on the appropriate part of the NMC register.

This stand-alone module aims to:

Facilitate the integration of theory and practice. We'll support you to achieve the seven platforms and associated skills annexes of the NMC (2018) Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses in your intended area of practice.
Support you to achieve the six platforms and associated skills annexes of the NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates.
Ensure your eligibility to register with, or remain on the NMC register. As a Registered Nurse (Adult, Children’s, Mental Health and Learning Disability) or Nursing Associate.
Develop you as a competent, compassionate, autonomous, and accountable professional. Who is fit for purpose and practice. Under the NMC (2018) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and nursing associates.

Why study with us

You'll have a dedicated personal tutor who will provide pastoral support. You'll also have practice supervisors and assessors who'll work with you during your clinical practice. A relevant academic assessor will oversee your progress and your practice assessment document.
Our School has significant experience in the provision of NHS England contracted Return to Practice programmes. This course adheres to the NMC Standards for Return to Practice (NMC, 2019), Standards Framework for Nursing Education (NMC 2018) and Standards for Nursing Associates (2018).
On this bespoke cpd course for nurses your prior nursing experience is valued.

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Course overview

The Return to Practice (Nursing/ Nursing Associate) module has an associated 200 hours of learning. It's a 12-week taught programme with a mix of 12 theoretical study/skills days and between 150 – 450 hours spent in clinical practice. You'll be expected to engage with a minimum of 22.5 hours of clinical learning per week in practice.

This return to nursing course consists of one module with two assessed elements. These include a critical reflection and a practice assessment. It also includes a formative numeracy assessment. You must pass 20 credits at level 6 for nursing and level 5 for nursing associates to be eligible to apply for professional re-registration.

You'll build upon your existing skills to provide, lead and coordinate nursing care within your scope of practice. Becoming an accountable, self-reflective, and autonomous practitioner. You'll work within interprofessional and multi-agency teams responding to the demands of nursing practice. We'll prepare you to act as a Practice Supervisor in line with the SSSA (NMC, 2018). You'll also show a political awareness of local and national policies. These policies impact organisational change and the integration of health and social care services.

The module also aligns with the learning outcomes across NMC criteria and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) benchmark statements.

Module code: Level 6 Nursing (NU3600), Level 5 Nursing Associate (NU2600)
Delivery: Campus and online
Study Mode: Part-time. Study day is one day a week for 12 weeks; clinical placement is a minimum of 22.5 hours per week up to full-time (37.5 hours) dependent on your availability.
Duration: Assessment criteria within 12 months of commencing the programme.
Campus: Preston
Start Date: September or March

Nursing expertise

Angela Irving

Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing

Return to your nursing career

This CPD nursing course makes you eligible to renew your registration with the NMC. So you can return to nursing as a registered nurse or nursing associate.

Whilst it does not guarantee employment most returnees have been successful in gaining a job after completion.

You'll receive advice and guidance on preparing a CV and portfolio of evidence, applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews.

In this short NHS video returners discuss their journey back to nursing.

Entry requirements

A nursing registration (Part 1/Part 2) with the NMC which is currently considered to be lapsed (NMC Registration and Returning to the register). Or be a nurse/ nursing associate who is not able to meet the requirements of revalidation but still has an active NMC PIN number.
Your health and character must be sufficient to enable safe and effective practice on entering the programme (NMC 2019).
Satisfactory clearance on the Disclosure Barring Service (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
Occupational Health clearance.
Selection requires a values-based interview in line with NMC requirements.
Evidence of capability to meet numeracy requirements of the programme, assessed via qualification or entry test.
All applicants must show they have the capability in literacy to meet programme outcomes (NMC 2019). This is assessed via the application form and confirmation of previous registration with the NMC.
All applicants must demonstrate capability for digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes (NMC 2019) assessed at interview.
You must provide suitable references that meet the NMC requirements. References are reviewed by the Programme Lead.
Personal statement - you should demonstrate your motivation for the programme and reflect upon any practical experience that you have gained. Experience in a setting that encompasses caring and/or interpersonal skills in either a formal or informal context is essential. Your personal statement should be of a suitable length that can demonstrate motivation and reflection of your experience.
You'll have a face-to-face/online interview where it is expected that you'll be able to demonstrate the NHS caring values expected of a nurse/nursing associate.

This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, this may include children. In order to ensure that the University offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB).

We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at the University of Central Lancashire.

It is important to note that should your Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prove to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn. If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.

A variety of learning methods are used on the course. Such as blended learning, peer learning, action learning and a placement in your preferred area of clinical practice.

Blended learning

The programme encompasses blended learning which is online as well as classroom-based. An online numeracy package (SN@P) enables you to test and improve your skill in addition to BEST. You'll also have access to online packages to enrich taught sessions. For example; Preparation for Prescribing for Nursing and Pharmacology for Nursing/Nursing Associates.

This approach to teaching and learning will enhance your experience. As well as enable your studies to suit individual circumstances.

Self-directed learning

Self-directed learning is a requirement of the Return to Nursing course.

There are many learning opportunities available. You'll need to be able to organise your time, set learning goals and access learning activities. It's through the process of reflecting on what you already know, and what you need to know, in certain situations that you can deepen your learning.

By developing this ability you'll continue your professional development as a natural progression when re-registered with the NMC.

Discussions, seminars, and action learning

There's opportunities for student discussions, feedback, seminars, and attendance to action learning sets.

You can explore role specific group activities within a safe environment for student discussions to take place. There will also be small seminar action learning sets which offer the chance to explore module content facilitated by a lecturer.

Simulation

Simulation can bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical experience. In the simulation sessions a variety of scenarios will be discussed, and your clinical reasoning explored.

Course work assessment

Your 3000-word written assignment will enable you to reflect on issues experienced in practice. It also links practical and theoretical learning. You may draw on previous practice experience and must show a knowledge and understanding of current legislation. As well as national policies and local procedures. Your work must show reflective practice including an awareness of continual professional development. You'll need to achieve a mark of 40% to pass the assessment.

Practice placement

You'll be required to prove a minimum of 150 hours in clinical practice and achievement of your clinical competencies.

Got a question about returning to nursing?

If you’ve completed 450 hours of registered practice in the past three years. Or 750 hours in the past five years, then you can reapply to join the NMC register. You’ll also need to have completed 35 hours of continuing professional development in the last three years.

Otherwise, you’ll need to complete an NMC-approved return to nursing practice course, like this one. Alternatively, you can complete a test of competence through the NMC.

Interested?

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This course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

Return to Practice

Why study with us

Course overview

Nursing expertise

Return to your nursing career

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Learning and assessment

Enquiries and applications

Useful links

Got a question about returning to nursing?

How do I return to nursing?

How long can you be out of nursing for?

How long is a return to nursing course?

What happens if my nursing registration lapsed?