Nurses and midwives offered increased incentive to return to practice

Former nurses and midwives wishing to re-join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register and return to practice will be offered £1,000 to help with studying and living expenses, Health Education England announced today.

Previously those looking to return to the NMC register and NHS roles were offered a £500 incentive to help pay for expenses such as childcare, books and travel costs.

The rise in the incentive offered to nurses and midwives is aimed to encourage more former practitioners return to the professions. Return to Practice course fees will continue to be paid by Health Education England.

Returners will also be able to attend the courses and undertake their clinical practice learning on a flexible or part-time basis.

The HEE Return to Practice programme also includes enhanced offers in some specialty areas, for returners to mental health, learning disability, cancer nursing as well as midwifery, these can be offered as a salaried role while they complete their training. Local NHS Trusts are recruiting for these roles now.

The programme has supported 7,978 nurse returners since it began.

Currently 25 universities across England offer Return to Practice nursing and midwifery courses.

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.”.

“The incentive has been increased to help encourage more people to come back into nursing and midwifery. We will work with universities to support those that choose to do so in the best possible way, equipping them with academic skills and lifelong learning as well as new and enhanced clinical skills.”

Health Education England also offer funding for the NMC Test of Competence route back to practice for Nurses and Midwives

All information required for all routes of Return to Practice are available on the Return to Practice Health Careers website.