Health Education England (HEE) has launched a return to practice marketing campaign as part of efforts to recruit at least 100 returning nurses into general practice by March 2020.
HEE, which is spearheading the campaign in partnership with Mumsnet, is also looking to recruit at least 1,000 returning nurses into adult, child, mental health and learning disability nursing per year.
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This latest phase of the ‘We are the NHS’ recruitment drive will highlight support available for returning nurses, including mentors and tutors, alongside £500 worth of financial support to help with travel, childcare and book costs.
Mumsnet will help to promote the campaign and showcase video stories from nurses who have returned to the profession.
Nurses interested in returning can sign up to an email guide with information and tips on returning here, which will include information on where to find courses, funding available and interview tips.
The campaign was announced in the interim NHS People Plan, published earlier this week, which outlines plans to grow the nursing workforce by over 40,000 by 2024 and reduce vacancy levels to 5% by 2028.
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Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, chief nurse, Health Education England, said: ‘There are around 40 fully-funded RTP courses available across England offering flexible and varied learning experiences.
‘I always say once you’re a nurse, you’re always a nurse and I’d encourage anyone currently on a break from their nursing career to explore the wide range of information and support available to help them return to a great career.’
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Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive of the NMC, said she welcomes the campaign’s efforts to nurture and retain nurses.
She continued: ‘At the NMC we’re playing our part, having recently introduced more flexible ways for professionals to re-join the register following a career break. This includes people from 2020 being able to choose a test of competence to demonstrate their much valued skills and knowledge, rather than undertake a course.’
