The deadline to apply is Monday 30th June 2025

The Return to Practice module is part of the Contemporary Nursing Programme and was revalidated at the University of Hertfordshire in October 2019 in line with the new Nursing and Midwifery Council standards relating to proficiency, education, supervision and return to practice. All of these various standards can be found on the NMC website at: NMC Standards

The module is designed to help lapsed registrants get back on to the NMC register and reactivate their NMC registration and we welcome applicants from all fields of nursing.

The learning outcomes for this programme will be achieved using a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, discussions, workshops, and enquiry-based learning approaches.

Knowledge gained will be further strengthened by the application of theory in the practice environment and by accessing appropriate learning opportunities as they arise.

Learners will be encouraged to work with their Practice Supervisor to identify suitable learning opportunities within the immediate clinical environment and the surrounding clinical areas, including opportunities to work with professionals from other healthcare disciplines.

Length of Module:

The module is offered in semester A (September to January) and semester B (January to May). Most RtP students have found this time frame allows enough time to complete the required hours however, should you need more time to complete your practice hours, you have the option to take an extended module over semester A and B (September to May) or B and C (January to July).

Please note it will take 4-6 weeks to process your application and to be invited for the interview.

Documents required to attach to the application:

• Copy of passport photo page
• TWO secondary ID Documents (Please see ID checklist at the end of the application page)
• Copy of qualifications
  •NMC statement of entry showing your lapsed status
  •2 Satisfactory References:  (Please see reference template at the end of the application page)
• Professional Reference - This should be from your line manager at your current place of employment or most recent employer.  If this is not possible then two-character references are required.
• Character Reference - This could be from your GP, voluntary work, a friend or colleague in a professional position, or a schoolteacher if you have children at school.
•  As part of the process, applicants will also have to pass an Enhanced DBS clearance as well as Occupational Health and NHS counter fraud screening.  You will not be able to practice until these have been cleared.

The aims of this module are to enable learners to:

• Effectively update their skills and knowledge in order to re-join the professional register held by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Understand the requirement to both provide and ensure safe, effective, compassionate care to service users.
• Employ reflection techniques to promote self-awareness and deeper learning.
• Regain confidence and autonomy in their clinical abilities and professional behaviours and to prepare for employment.

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding
Successful students will typically...

• Show a deep understanding of the influence of health and social policy with regards to the organisation and practice of healthcare at both a national and local level.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the provision of safe, evidence based, person centred care in different and complex care settings.
• Display the use of advanced skills when evaluating effective leadership and team working whilst participating in multi professional care.
• Critically evaluate influential trends in contemporary healthcare.

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills
Successful students will typically...

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of what it means to be an accountable professional by reflecting on their own and others professional practice.
• Critically evaluate their own personal strengths and areas for development, recognising the importance of professional competence as a means of improving the safety and quality of healthcare.
• Display mastery in their understanding of the need to promote health and prevent ill health in contemporary healthcare.

Number of Learner Hours: 

1.    Scheduled - 40

2.    Independent - 50

3.    Placement/work-based learning - 225

Practice Hours and Placement Area:

The module requires that a minimum of  225 practice hours are completed by all RtP students. However, you may have to complete more hours because of the length of time that you have been lapsed from the NMC register as follows:

9–12 years of lapsed practice = 300 hours
12+ years of lapsed practice = 375 hours 

Assessment:

Learning in this module is assessed by the delivery of a presentation which requires you to reflect critically on an aspect of practice that has changed, to find and analyse the underpinning evidence, guidance and policy and then critically reflect on how this will be incorporated into your future practice.  You will also be required to submit a practice assessment document to determine your clinical competency and sign off for returning to the register.