14 June 2017
A series of open events have been organised in the next few weeks for nurses who want to return to the profession after a career break.
The events will be providing information on the ‘Return to Practice’ Programme, which is run by the Education Centre at the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) in partnership with the University of Chester.
The programme, which seeks to offer opportunities to trained nurses seeking to resume their nursing careers, has been run in Jersey on several occasions in the past, and a new course is scheduled to run from January to June 2018.
Potential Return to Practice (RTP) candidates must have had a previous registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the professional body which oversees the work of nurses and midwives at a national level.
Lisa Lewis and Sandra Lamb, former nurses seeking to resume their careers on completion of the 2017 course, both said it was something they would recommend.
“Doing the RTP course has allowed me to gain confidence, experience and a renewed enthusiasm for working as a nurse,” Lisa Lewis said. “It has been a positive and worthwhile experience which I’ve really enjoyed, and a real pleasure to meet and work alongside colleagues at the hospital who have welcomed and supported our group.”
“Having given up my nursing career to raise a family, I had many great memories and this led to me attending an open day and eventually signing up for Return to Practice,” said Sandra Lamb. “Returning to the classroom has provided a pathway – academically, mandatorily and legally; it’s wonderful to learn how nursing procedures have changed and I feel able to draw on the innate skills from my original training and complement them with new learning.
“Nursing is still as rewarding as the first time round, and I’d recommend RTP to others in my situation.”
Knowledge and skills
Head of Nursing and Midwifery Education for HSSD, Julie Mesny said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer the RTP programme, as it enables nurses to update their knowledge and skills in a safe environment and to re-register with the NMC.”
Rose Naylor, Chief Nurse, added: “We know there are a significant number of trained nurses in Jersey who left the profession for various reasons, notably family-related, but are now in a position to return to a career that is every bit as rewarding as the one they left.
“Offering RTP is an important element of our nurse training programme, which also includes the pre-registration nursing degree course that has been run annually since 2013.”
The programme comprises 60 hours of theory and between 100 to 300 hours of practice; supported by a mentor/supervisor.
Anyone who is a registered nurse who is not currently practising and would like more information about the programme is invited to book a place at one of the six information-sharing events scheduled across three days at the General Hospital:
- Thursday 15 June, 6 to 7pm or 7 to 8pm
- Wednesday 21 June, 6 to 7pm or 7 to 8pm
- Saturday 1 July, 10 to 11am or 11am to 12noon
To find out more information, or to book a place at one of the Return to Practice events, please call +44 (0) 1534 442740 or email the Education Centre
gov.je