Return to practice

Thinking of returning to nursing? Your skills and experience are needed more than ever before, and there has never been a better time to return to nursing and it is easier than you might think.

Return to practice programme 

The Return to Practice Programme prepares you for re-entry into the professional register and is an essential requirement for returning to nursing and regaining registration. The programme will refresh your skills, leaving you ready to return to nursing with confidence. It involves a combination of classroom and placement-based learning, so you can get stuck in right from the start. 

 

Who is the Programme suitable for?

The Return to Practice programme offers nurses with a lapsed registration an opportunity to become active again on the NMC register with a view that this will lead to employment as a registered nurse.

Programmes available in London: How do I apply?

Led by supportive tutors, assessors and supervisors, there are 4 University programmes available across London, all created to refresh your nursing skills so that you’re ready to return to practice. Please click on the links below to be taken to the University websites to find out more about the programmes and how to apply:

We work closely with City University and the University of Hertfordshire on the delivery of the programme.

If you are looking to return to a specific field of Nursing, such as Mental Health Nursing, Child Nursing, or Learning Disability Nursing, please contact the University to ensure they offer the programme you require.

Financial support for your studies  

You won’t just be emotionally supported; you’ll be financially supported too. NHS Health Education England (HEE) will provide funding towards your course fees. You’ll also either be given a bursary to help cover any childcare, travel, and book costs, or you will be paid a salary, depending on the route you take to return. 
You can take one of two pathways

  • The employed pathway means you will be employed as a paid Band 3 person (£17,787-£20,448) for the placement and theory hours. You’ll work 22.5 hours, or up to full-time hours.
  • The voluntary pathway allows you to complete placement hours on a non-paid voluntary basis at your chosen hours. The Universities will process DBS and occupational health checks for this route.

For both routes, if you successfully obtain your NMC registration then we will interview you for a Band 5 role and can offer various contracts including full-time, part-time, flexible working and rotational programmes. We have lots of opportunities for staff nurse roles across north London so there will be something that suits you, with the chance of trying an area of nursing new to you. After registration, we support your development with an award-winning CapitalNurse preceptorship period.

Please be aware: To apply, your NMC registration must have lapsed.