Return to Practice for Nursing Associates, Nurses, Midwives and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (RTP501/601/701)

The University of Plymouth has been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to provide Return to Practice Courses for the Southwest.
CPD for healthcare professionals
Return to Practice for Nursing Associates, Nurses, Midwives and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (RTP501/601/701)

Key features

The University of Plymouth provides Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved Return to Practice courses. 
We are proud to offer a course that has been designed together with our Practice Placement Providers, Patient/Service Users, and Students. The course is generic for all fields of nursing and midwifery, but tailored for registrants who have worked in a diverse range of practice settings. Individual profiling is used to underpin your personalised learning journey, tailored to meet your particular needs and the opportunity to achieve graduate skills.
<p>A young male nurse stands in a busy hospital ward.&nbsp;Image courtesy of Getty Images.<br></p>
This 20 credit module is available at: 
Diploma Level 5
For Nursing Associates.
Degree Level 6
For Nursing Associates, Nurses, Midwives or Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN).
Masters Level 7
For Nursing Associates, Midwives or Specialist Community Public Health Nurses who hold a Health Care related degree at level 6 or 7.
The NMC require all Return to Practice students to undertake 450 hours (900 for dual registration) of clinical practice in your chosen sphere of practice with placement provider in Devon and Cornwall. Individual profiling is used to underpin your personalised learning journey which is tailored to meet your particular needs and the opportunity to achieve graduate skills. 
The theoretical aspect of the module will run alongside your practice placement over 16 weeks and will include:
  • a mixture of five virtual online taught days, web-based face-to-face days and web-based learning,
  • one day of independent study,
  • up to three days designed for your chosen sphere of practice: midwifery, adult, mental health, learning disabilities, child health, GP practice nursing or SCPHN. 
Module code

Level 5 (RTP501), Level 6 (RTP601), Level 7 (RTP701) 

Credits 

20

FHEQ Level

Level 5 diploma, Level 6 degree, Level 7 masters

Location

Online delivery

Course details

Level 5
At the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Assess personal strengths and establish development needs through analysis of limitations recognising the importance of maintaining and developing professional competence. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the influence and impact of current legislation, clinical guidelines, and codes of practice, research and operational policy on practice.
  • Evaluate the current structure and organisation of care, nationally and locally.
  • Meet the NMC standards for proficiency for registered Nurse Associate.
Level 6
At the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise personal strengths and establish development needs through analysis of limitations recognising the importance of maintaining and developing professional competence.
  • Critically appraise the influence and impact of current legislation, clinical guidelines, and codes of practice, research and operational policy on practice.
  • Analyse and evaluate the current structure and organisation of care, nationally and locally.
  • Meet the NMC standards for proficiency for either registered Nursing Associates, Nurses, Midwives. 
Level 7
At the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise personal strengths and establish development needs through analysis and synthesis of limitations, recognising the importance of maintaining and developing professional competence.
  • Critically analyse and synthesise the factors that influence current legislation, clinical guidelines, and codes of practice, research and operational policy on practice.
  • Demonstrate an ability to critically analyse and evaluate in depth the complexities of structure and organisation of care delivery, nationally and locally.
  • Meet the NMC standards for proficiency for either registered Nursing Associates, Nurses, Midwives or SCPHN

Module dates 

28 February, 1, 20 March, 3 ,17 April, 1, 8 May, 5, 19 June and 3 July 2023. 
Dates are provisional and may be subject to change. 
Occasionally delivery dates might be subject to change - please check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit.
Midwifery

Accreditation

The module is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). 
In addition, the module is mapped against learning outcomes across Southern England Consortium (SEEC) descriptors, NMC criteria and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) benchmark statements.

Fees and funding

Health Education England (HEE) will fund the return to practice module including tuition fee, stipend and placement fee via your employer. Please liaise with your prospective employer. 

Module Lead

Adele Kane RN RNT MScEd FHEA

Entry requirements

If you are considering returning to practice, you will first need to find and secure a return to practice vacancy with a southwest employer. To find a suitable vacancy please visit the NHS Jobswebsite and in the keywords/job reference section search for ‘Return to practice’ roles. Only once you have secured this position will your employer be able to book you a place on the course at the University. Unfortunately, you are unable to do this directly as places commissioned by Health Education England(HEE) with Healthcare organisations such as NHS Trusts, general practices and independent providers will be supporting returnees to return to practice with the intention of employment on successful completion of the module. 
*For GP Practice Nurses via their training hubs in Cornwall, Devon or Somerset. 
*For SCPHN via Somerset, Devon or Cornwall County Councils 
Once you have secured this position your prospective employer will be able to book you a place on the course.

Who can apply for the module?

  • Potential returners to the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) can apply, 
  • Nurses who have qualified within the European Union (EU) and meet the NMC requirements for entry to the register and require evidence of a return to practice module.
Disclosure and barring service (DBS) certificate and occupational health assessment
You are required to undergo an occupational health and DBS assessment, which forms a condition of acceptance. This will be a part of the recruitment process and undertaken by your employer.

The written assessment design is to be commended; it equips students with skills and confidence to complete the NMC revalidation requirements, given the alignment between the students’ portfolio, and the NMC revalidation requirements.

Our External Examiner

Our students said

  • The opportunity to come together as a group, sharing our experiences and supporting each other has been the most important thing for us.
  • It was tougher than I expected, but I got through in the end.
  • We were very well supported by Programme lead with theory and practice concerns.
  • It’s reassuring to know that we are studying on a course that has been highly thought of by NMC – to know we’ve made the right choice.
  • Thank you for persuading me to give the course a go, I’m now working as a Staff Nurse after 25 years away.

Admissions information 

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.
  • application forms 
  • change of name forms
  • pre-course information
  • downloadable guides 
  • student card.
<p> </p><h2>Admissions information </h2><p>Additional information and documentation required for the application process.</p><p>Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. </p><p>Visit our <a href="//https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/about-us/university-structure/faculties/health-human-sciences/professional-development-unit-admissions">admissions homepage</a>. </p> <br><p></p>
Green figure with heartbeat image

You can contact the Professional Development Unit with any queries

Prospective student enquiries:
Current student enquiries:
Professional Development Unit, Level 4 Rolle Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
Monday – Thursday 8:30–17:00 and Friday 8:30–16:30.