Return to Practice Nurses

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Thinking about returning to Nursing or Midwifery Practice –

This programme is an exciting collaboration with NHS Highland and Robert Gordon's University which enables nurses or midwives previously registered with the NMC to return to professional practice with training to rebuild confidence and competence.

 ​​​​If you are already living in the Highland area or are looking to relocate to the Highlands of Scotland and have ever thought about returning to practice, now is the time to do it.

We are currently  recruiting for our sixth  cohort of midwives and nurses from all disciplines including Adult, Child, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Nursing to commence in September 2023.

Nurses and midwives leave the profession for a variety of reasons and as circumstances change, many look to return to the profession and this funded course provides that supportive development opportunity to step back into practice. This established programme is the ideal opportunity to rebuild your confidence and skills and explore the diverse range of flexible working opportunities for nurses and midwives across health and social care in Highland.

Christine Campbell, Integrated Midwife, Skye and Lochalsh Midwifery Team gives insight into her experience of the Return to Practice Programme.

"I was delighted to be able to complete the new Return to Practice Programme in 2021. This is jointly run by Robert Gordon's University and NHS Highland. NHS Highland support the student through the course on Band 2, and then a one year, post graduate/re-registration, Band 5 midwifery post which allows for flying start to be completed, while being mentored and supported. This collaborative employment route is supported by NES who cover the course fees in return for a year, post registration commitment.

The 7-week full-time online academic course, is complete and comprehensive, taking a week for each of the 6 Domains, as part of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Midwives, which guide all our midwifery practices and Code of Conduct.

The 450 practice hours were completed in various areas in NHS Highland, in agreement with my Practice Assessor, I was able to consolidate any gaps in my practice that I required to update, so that it was able to be tailored to my needs and where I was going to be working. These practice hours can be completed either full or part-time but the whole cohort is presented for registration at the same time when all are completed.

This Return to Practice Programme, has allowed me to return to a job that I love after a break of 12 years, and I continue to thoroughly appreciate the privilege it is to be a midwife again, in this remote and rural community, in NHS Highland."

Entry requirements to apply

Evidence of previous NMC registration on part one of the register.

Following successful interview undertake and complete all required pre-employment checks including PVG Clearance from Disclosure Scotland and Occupational Health screening for immunisations.

Commitment to fulfil the programme and then remain within employment for a minimum of one year with NHS Highland following successful completion of the programme.

Be able to attend the academic/theory element of the course without interruption, i.e. holidays.

Our commitment to you

NHS Highland will support you financially, meaning you will be paid as a Band 2 for the full duration of the programme.

On successful completion of the course you will be offered permanent employment in a substantive band 5 post.

You will receive full academic and practical placement support.

You will gain a range of clinical competencies and skills including medicine management, safe calculation of medicine doses, organisational aspects of care and much more.

If you apply for funding with NES you should have your course fees paid https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/our-work/return-to-practice-nursing-and-midwifery/

Informal Enquiries are welcomed by John Sinclair Tel: 07437135862 Email: John.sinclair3@nhs.scot

​​​​​​​Applications will be subject to a stringent short listing process and successful applicants will be subject to a values based interview.  Interviews will be held on Thurdsay 17th August.