A special online event will be taking place in June for nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) looking to return to practice.
The Return to Practice Programme is for qualified nurses or AHPs who are no longer registered and wish to return to work. Those eligible must have been off the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register for more than two years, or must not have registered within five years from the date of their qualification.
Hosted by The Black Country Allied Health Professionals and Nursing Faculty, the event will be held on Tuesday 14 June, 10.45am-12.15pm, and will advise people how to return to practice and the process of applying for a new role within the Black Country.
The event will give attendees the chance to hear from speakers from Health Education England (HEE), as well as stories and experiences from professionals who have returned to practice.
Beverley Matthews renewed her nursing qualification in 2017 through the Return to Practice course and will be sharing her experience at the event.
She said: “Despite having let my registration lapse for 10 years, being a nurse has always been part of my identity. In September 2017 I started the Return to Practice course at Birmingham City University and was lucky enough to do my clinical placement where my career started at Russells Hall Hospital. There was a lot to learn as things had changed since I last worked on a ward as a nurse but the staff I worked with were brilliant.
“Doing my Return to Practice was absolutely the best decision, and has given me the opportunity to reconnect with my passion. I would recommend everyone whose registration has lapsed to find out more about the Return to Practice opportunities available at the online event.
“I would also encourage anyone who is currently on the register but hasn’t done any clinical work recently to think about this course, as it not only gives you current clinical knowledge and skills, it also gives you confidence.”
Alan Duffell, Chief People Officer for the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Workforce Lead for the Black Country and West Birmingham Integrated Care System, Healthier Futures, said: “Experienced health care professionals have so much to offer patients, employers and society, and there’s never been a better time do it.
“The Return to Practice programme is there for nurses and AHPs who have decided to take some time away from the profession, whether that’s to pursue a different career, a change in lifestyle or to retire, and want to come back.
“The event is a great way for people to find out whether returning to practice is suitable for them, hear from others who have experienced the programme first hand and to find out about the different roles available across the area.
“So, if you’re a nurse or AHP and thinking of coming back to the profession, or know someone who is, we’d love to see you there.”
The event will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams, and places can be booked by registering at the Eventbrite link: https://
