Few other roles will give you the same kind of fulfilment as nursing – think how many lives you’ve already changed? But it’s not just emotionally rewarding, there are plenty of practical benefits too, including some you may not have experienced before:
- One of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
- Flexible working and opportunities to work part-time, helping to create a balance that suits you. Childcare support may also be available but it varies between NHS trusts.
- At least 27 days holiday a year plus public holidays, and a standard working week of 37.5 hours.
- Additional support for professional development, helping you to feel confidence in your skills and achieve your career goals.
- A greater emphasis on working in multidisciplinary teams, allowing you to work with experts from many different departments.
Return to practice programme
The return to practice programme prepares you for re-entry to the professional register, if your NMC registration has lapsed, through a combination of classroom and clinical placement-based learning.
Clinical placement opportunities
We support placements in our acute, specialist and community sites for nurses registered on the return to practice programme, including:
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes St George’s Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes Epsom Hospital, St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary’s Children’s Hospital
- Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, which includes Croydon University Hospital and community services
- Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Your Healthcare CIC, who provide community services in Kingston
- Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare Trust
- GP and hospice placements
University courses
We work mainly with Kingston University and City University of London, who provide the academic component of the return to practice course.
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. Email us for more information.
More about returning to practice
Order your guide to return to nursing
Sign up and receive free expert advice and information on coming back from NHS Health Careers.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about returning to practice please email us:
South West London Return to Practice Lead
[email protected]
HEE London Return to Practice team
[email protected]
Bridget’s story
Watch Bridget Thobela talk about her journey back to practice nursing.
We are returning nurses
Watch Raych, Mark and Bridget talk about their journeys back to nursing.