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Return to Practice

Module

Attendance mode
Part-time

Start date(s)
September, February

Duration
3 months

Location
City Campus

UK students can apply

Overview

Return to Practice provides qualified nursing professionals with lapsed registration an opportunity to update knowledge, skills, and competencies, enabling them to return to the Nursing and Midwifery Council register that they were originally on.

Local Trusts offer opportunities for nurses who wish to return to practice to be employed as a healthcare support worker on a contract basis while completing the Return to Practice course at the University of Bradford.

On successful completion of the course, the Trust will guarantee these applicants a Band 5 contract, usually in the area where the student has had their placement.

Other applicants who are not on a contract with a Trust can also apply to the University of Bradford and undertake the Return to Practice course. On successful completion of the course, those applicants can then identify and apply for positions as they would normally do.

Whether face to face, or online, each course date will be 09:00–16:00.

For enquiries, please contact either Fi Croucher on f.croucher@bradford.ac.uk or Nicky Armstrong on n.armstrong@bradford.ac.uk

Attendance dates

September 2023 intake

Application closing date: 23 June 2023  
Interviews: 7 July 2023

  • 4 September 2023 - 8 September 2023 inclusive
  • Week commencing 11 September 2023 - Breakaway for MH or LD students
  • 19 September 2023
  • 26 September 2023
  • 3 October 2023
  • 10 October 2023
  • 17 October 2023
  • 24 October 2023
  • 31 October 2023

February 2024 intake

Application closing date: 17 November 2023  
Interviews: 1 December 2023

  • 5 February 2024 - 9 February 2024 inclusive
  • Week commencing 12 February 2024 Breakaway for MH or LD students
  • 20 February 2024
  • 27 February 2024
  • 5 March 2024
  • 12 March 2024
  • 19 March 2024
  • 26 March 2024
  • 2 April 2024

Entry requirements

Students should already have:

  • Lapsed registration with the NMC (Nurses and Midwives)
  • Evidence of GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths or level 2 equivalent such as functional skills or O Levels
  • Two satisfactory references, preferably from education and employment sources. References from friends and relatives are not acceptable.
  • Satisfactory occupational health clearance
  • DBS check
  • Demonstration of academic ability/evidence of current knowledge
  • Awareness of changes in the NHS since last practiced

It is also strongly advised that applicants have experience of using information technology resources.

Shortlisting criteria

  • Locally situated/local placement (intention of working in the local authority area)
  • Length of time out of practice (shorter the better)
  • Genuine and thoughtful reasoning for wanting to return (assessed through personal statement)
  • Good references
  • Evidence of recent academic study (as recent as possible)

What you will study

This module is provided as part of this interdisciplinary Framework within the Faculty of Health Studies. The Framework enables students to create an individualised programme of study that will meet either their needs and/or the employers’ needs for a changing diverse workforce within a modern organisation.

The modules and academic awards are presented in areas representing employment practice or work based or clinical disciplines.

Whilst some students can build their own academic awards by choosing their own menu of module options, other students will opt for a named academic award. The Framework also provides the option for students to move from their chosen named award to another award if their job or personal circumstances change and they need to alter the focus of their studies. The majority of named awards also offer students, the option of choosing at least one module, sometimes more, from across the Faculty module catalogue enabling them to shape their award more specifically to their needs.

Learning and assessment

The programme is delivered over 9 weeks, and incorporates a minimum of 150 hours of clinical practice.

The theoretical component of the programme consists of:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Directed study
  • Group & individual tutorials

The first week is taught on campus.

The following week is a breakaway training session for students returning to mental health nursing and learning disability nursing. This session then runs every Tuesday for 7 successive weeks.

You will also undertake a minimum of 150 hours in clinical placements; the time it takes you to complete placement hours will depend upon your progress. We would advise that you work a minimum of 24 hours a week. The actual days and hours worked are negotiated with you and the placement area. If clinical competencies cannot be achieved in 150 hours then an extension of hours may be possible at the discretion of the placement provider, and the University of Bradford.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

For students living in England who meet the entry criteria, the course is funded by HEE so there are no fees to pay. This also includes a non-means-tested bursary. For any queries related to funding eligibility, please contact:

Paul Gibson (Return to Practice Coordinator for HEE)

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Local Trusts offer opportunities for nurses who wish to return to practice to be employed as a healthcare support worker on a contract basis while completing the Return to Practice course at the University of Bradford.

On successful completion of the course the Trust will guarantee a band 5 contract usually in the area where the student has had their placement. The contact details for more information are below:

It is fantastic that you are considering returning to the nursing profession. At the University of Bradford, our programme is designed to meet the needs of a changing and diverse workforce, whilst also supporting you all the way. Fi Croucher, Programme Leader

Got a question?

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This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.