HEE launches partnership with Heart to encourage former nurses and midwives back into practice

Former nurses and midwives are being encouraged to return to practice by Health Education England through a partnership with Heart, the UK’s biggest commercial radio brand. 

Supported by Heart presenters Amanda Holden and Zoe Hardman, the partnership features nurses and midwives telling their inspiring return to practice stories on radio adverts, the Heart Radio website and their social media channels.

Nurses and midwives can also get tailored advice on returning and request a call back from HEE’s regional teams by registering their interest on the NHS Health Careers website. 

Getting more nurses and midwives back into practice permanently is more important than ever following the wind down of the temporary register set up to support the NHS response to the pandemic.  

Sharon Swords, a return to practice nurse who features in the Heart partnership, said: “I left nursing over twenty years ago, but I always knew I would come back. I researched the return to practice course and realised I could do it alongside my day job. I didn’t know what to expect but as soon as I got back on to the ward for my first placement, the buzz I felt was phenomenal. I am so pleased to be back. Nursing is what I do, it’s what I am. 

“If you still have that passion to help people, then believe in yourself and go for it. Your skills are still needed which is why I am so pleased to support Health Education England’s campaign.”

Routes back to nursing and midwifery

Nurses and midwives can take one of three routes back to their profession:

•         Return to Practice (RTP) course either directly through a university or through an NHS employer

•         The NMC Test of Competence

•         Readmission for those who meet the NMC requirements

Mark Radford, Chief Nurse at Health Education England, said: “Returners bring back valuable expertise to the professions, and we want to enable them to complete the NMC requirements, return to the register and into roles within our clinical services.

“Some of the processes may have changed and there might be some new technology, but the fundamental qualities of a nurse and midwife remain the same and are just as valuable as ever. These qualities never leave a nurse or midwife, and they are always needed in the NHS.”

Amanda Holden, Heart Radio presenter, opens up about how midwives supported her after losing her son in 2010, also encouraged midwives to come back to the NHS: “Three midwives were there for me and Chris (Hughes, Amanda’s husband) every step of the way - advising and putting their arms around us, taking questions from us like: ‘why did it happen?’, ‘how did it happen?’, ‘was it my fault?’.

“I have never got enough to say that’s good enough about midwives, I think it’s the most amazing profession. If you are midwife, and can come back to your profession, please do. Families across the country really need you.”

Zoe Hardman, Heart Radio presenter and voice of the campaign urges nurses to come back after opening about her positive experience with a nurse following surgery: “My parents were living in Kenya, and I didn’t have anyone here to look after me. I’d been in surgery and had a general anaesthetic, and when I came round, this lovely nurse named Sally took a complete shine to me as she knew that my parents weren’t going to come and pick me up.

“I’m grateful for that day, and grateful for her. We need you, we need more nurses, and I think what they all do is incredible.”

NHS organisations can also access a toolkit to support local return to practice recruitment drives including posters, leaflets and resources for social media. 

For more information on returning to practice, visit the NHS Health Careers website or search Return to the NHS.