'Exciting, stimulating' scheme to help healthcare workers return to practice praised by UHDB colleagues
Colleagues who have reignited their NHS careers through UHDB’s Return to Practice (RTP) scheme have praised the “exciting, stimulating” buzz of returning to work.
The scheme helps those who have taken a break from their career to find their feet in the NHS once more, offering the latest training and support through supervised placements and formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to get them back up to speed and back working in a clinical setting.
Financial and academic support may also be on offer from Health Education England, which is leading the RTP scheme, giving further support to those looking to get back into healthcare.
Someone who has already benefitted from the scheme is Laura Barnes, who is a Registered Children’s Nurse. Laura had a career break for eight years starting back in 2012 to spend time raising her young family, but has since returned to her role at Royal Derby Hospital.
Laura said: “I realised that no matter what I did, I still missed actual nursing and using my clinical expertise. As my youngest child started school, I decided now was the time for me to focus on my career and to return.
“No matter how long you have been out of practice, you will be welcomed back and fully supported. I love this job and the satisfaction again at the end of a shift where you feel you have made a difference.”
Another colleague to benefit from the scheme is Rachel Batterham, who took a career break with her family following her last role in Paris. She has since returned to the Royal Derby Hospital as an Occupational Therapist in the Stroke Team.
Rachel said: “While at my son’s football training, by chance I got talking to a therapy assistant who encouraged me to consider returning.”
“I’ve been constantly overwhelmed by the support and encouragement along the way from so many people. It’s been fast paced, stretching, stressful at times, but very exciting, stimulating and rewarding. No two days are the same, and I work with a dream team.”
Cathy Winfield, Executive Chief Nurse at UHDB, said: “The pandemic has brought sharply into focus just how vital the role of those who work within the NHS is. The incredible efforts of everyone at UHDB have rightly been recognised as they continue to go above and beyond for our patients and communities, and I’d just like to say thank you to everyone for what they have done once more.
“Those who have chosen a career in healthcare at some stage in their lives will have done so because they possess these core skills that Team UHDB has displayed during the pandemic and beyond - compassion, care and the desire to make a difference – and we believe that returnees not only have their clinical experience to offer but also the valuable core values and behaviours, which are needed to provide high quality patient care.
“Seeing all of this in action over the past year may well have inspired many to get back into healthcare to help to deliver this compassionate care at a time when patients need them most and when they are at their most vulnerable. Returnees, we believe, are valuable to patient experiences and outcomes, and they can offer so much to our colleagues by sharing their knowledge and expertise.
“It takes courage to step back into a career after a break, especially as we continue to respond to the demands of the pandemic, which is why we will support returnees throughout their journey back into practice with a structured programme of support including a designated supervisor, a learning plan created around specific learning requirements and support from our Practice Learning Support Unit with sourcing a placement area to complete the required supervised practice.”
Nurses makes up the largest part of the NHS workforce. Allied health professionals (AHPs) cover 14 different professions and are the third largest workforce in the NHS, with the return to practice programme enabling AHP and healthcare scientist returnees to re-enter and gain their Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
UHDB is committed to offering all returnees a period of preceptorship to enable you to have a smooth transition back into the clinical setting.
A 12 - 18 month transition period (depending on your profession) with a range of support available to enhance the skills, knowledge, competence and confidence of our newly qualified staff.
As a Preceptee, you will have access to:
- Regular support from senior members of your team, clinical educators, Professional and Practice Development (PPD) and Practice Learning Support Unit (PLSU).
- Workshops/study days designed to enhance your development.
- Resources and learning tools to help guide your continuing professional development in line with your professional bodies.
- Opportunities to guide you towards the next steps in your career in the NHS.
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To find out more about the support available to help you back into the workplace, email: stacey.martin@nhs.net or visit the Joined Up Careers website.
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