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.
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Order your guide from NHS Health CareersReturn 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.
Find out more on NHS Health CareersClinical 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, Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton and community services.
- 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 with Kingston University and City University of London, which both provide a range of return to practice courses to help refresh your clinical and reflective skills in a number of nursing and midwifery specialties.
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.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about returning to practice please email us at:
South West London Return to Practice Lead
khft.rtpswl@nhs.net
Health Education England London Return to Practice team
returntopractice.london@hee.nhs.uk
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.