Return to Professional Practice - Nursing

Admission Criteria

• In order to eligible for the course, you need to have been 'off' the NMC Register for 3 years.
• You need to have been a First Level nurse in either Adult, Child Mental Health or Learning Disability
• Complete Application Form (available on University Website). Send completed forms to: nhs-business-unit@beds.ac.uk or NHS Business Unit Administrator, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3JU
• Applicants have to attend an Interview day, which involves Numeracy and Literacy Screening Group discussion and face-to-face Interviews
• Applicants are required to supply 2 satisfactory References
• Applicants need to have Occupational Health Clearance
• Applicants need to have a clean DBS Certificate, or obtain clearance through a DBS Panel

These last three have to be in place before the student can enter practice.

Practice implications

Students have to undertake a period of practice. The length will depend on individual factors, such as how long since last on the Register and any recent care experience. But suggested times are:

• 5-7 years, 150 Hours
• 8-10 years, 200 Hours
• 10-15 years, 275 Hours
• 15 years and over, 375 Hours

• Practice would be undertaken in a placement where there is a Sign Off Mentor. This is someone who has had experience of supporting final place pre-registration Students. Students may wish to 'negotiate' their own placements, although some placements may be available through: Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Bedford Acute Trust, Buckinghamshire Trust, SEPT and ELF. These would be identified through interview, and if you wanted a placement in these areas, please DO NOT approach them directly.
• Students need to successfully pass a Practice Assessment Document and a Skills log
• Students would need to obtain an Honorary Contract with the Trust they are undertaking practice in, and will be required to attend Trust Inductions.

University implications

• The course is 30 Credit course at level 6 (degree level)
• The course lasts for 30 weeks (October – May)
• There are 7 study days, 2 at the start of the course, 4 spread out during the next few months, and 1 at the end of the course, for assessed presentations
• All sessions are held in Luton 
• Session times are 09.30 – 16.30
• The course is underpinned by 10 e-learning packages

Assessments

• A formative essay based on a Learning need
• A Summative essay based on a different Learning Need
• Presentation demonstrating how you have applied one of the 6 'C's of caring
• Portfolio, demonstrating how you have met the NMC outcomes, which are a course requirement, and 2 reflective essays demonstrating how you have practiced in accordance with the NHS Constitution
• Practice documents - see above

Apply

• Complete the application form - PDF 125.2 KB
• Additional information form [DOC]

Additional information is also available from Health Education England - Health Careers

If you have any further questions, please email our staff at returntopractice@beds.ac.uk