Return to Nursing and Midwifery Practice

Study level: CPD/Short courses
Midwives and students assisting a woman giving bith in a birthng pool.

The programme provides the opportunity for nurses or midwives whose registration has lapsed after a break in practice of three years or more, to return to practice with proficiency and confidence.

Course code

HLSU240

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Online/Blended

Duration

Up to 1 year part-time

Fees

Funding options available

Start date

Any time

Course overview

The course is designed to respond to the needs of individuals when returning to practice. Returnees bring a wealth of life and professional experience to the programme, which would be the foundation for learning.

It provides the practitioner with the opportunity to rediscover and develop practice based skills and the theoretical underpinning of current developments and influences on nursing or midwifery and specialist community public health nursing and therefore comprises both academic and clinical practice elements.

How will this course enhance my career prospects?

Upon the successful completion of this module students should possess the qualities and knowledge to return to their practice confident and ready to develop further as professionals within the field.

Achievement of the module-specific outcomes will enable you to re-register with the NMC (subject to application and additional costs may apply).

Course detail

This module provides you with the opportunity to:

  • Rediscover and develop skills which can allow them to confidently return back to their practice.
  • Gain up-to-date knowledge on the latest developments and influences within the field in order to enhance their career prospects.

Benefits include:

  • The reactivation of NMC PIN.
  • Access to learning from subject and clinical experts.
  • The opportunity to network with a range of students from own speciality and other disciplines.
  • Ability to achieve developed critical thinking and clinical decision making skills.
  • Achievement of clinical proficiency.
  • Achievement of clinical proficiency in specific speciality.
  • Enhanced ability to challenge practice and embed relevant evidence base to support quality care.
  • Enhanced ability to innovate and lead clinical practice derived from current policy initiatives.
  • Increased commitment to achieving and leading quality care service delivery.

This course aims to:

  • Provide you with the knowledge and skills to equip you for re-registration on the NMC Professional Register.
  • Develop your competence for returning to professional practice in line with the NMC (2019) Standards for Return to Practice programmes.
  • Enhance transferable skills through Coventry University’s Enterprise Capabilities Strategy to prepare you for employment as a registered practitioner.

You should also be able to demonstrate cognitive, practical and transferable skills by:

  • Analysing relevant literature and research to inform your practice.
  • Evaluating theoretical concepts which underpin practice.
  • Appraising, monitoring and evaluating your own practice.
  • Identifying and assessing needs of patients/clients in the area of practice.
  • Designing and implementing interventions in conjunction with the patient/client.
  • Evaluating outcomes of care delivered.
  • Delivering safe and appropriate care.
  • Functioning effectively in a team and participating in a multi-professional approach to care.
  • Identifying your individual needs for learning.
  • Interpreting, analysing and presenting numerical data.
  • Using appropriate communication, teaching and learning skills.
  • Understanding career opportunities and challenges ahead and beginning to plan a career path.

Modules

The programme is a single module and comprises two components: theory and practice. It requires a pass in both theory and practice in order to reactivate registration with the NMC.

The theory element of the course is delivered over 1 day across 12 weeks. All students will be taught together with route-specific workshops as required.

After the 12 weeks, you are eligible to commence the clinical placement part of the programme which is a minimum of 150 practice hours. Practice attendance and hours will be negotiated between the student and clinical placement to maintain continuity and facilitate learning.

The module is assessed at Level 6 (degree level) and is worth 20 CATS points.

There will be one Returning to Practice course each year. Once started, you can take up to one academic year (45 weeks) to complete the course. You may exit once all assessments (theory and practice) have been completed. There are three exit points during the year: 2 weeks before Board 1, Board 2 or Board 3.

How you'll learn

This module will be delivered using a blended approach through a series of lead lectures, tutorials and workshops alongside online learning. Where it is appropriate you may access specific pre-registration or learning beyond registration sessions.

The length of the programme is very much determined by individual requirements and ability to undertake clinical placement hours. However, it is recommended that the returner devote at least two shifts per week to clinical practice in order to maintain continuity and facilitate learning within the negotiated area.

Teaching contact hours

  • Lectures – 50 hours
  • Clinical skills – 20 hours
  • Self-guided student activity – 100 hours
  • Workshops – 20 hours
  • Tutorial – 10 hours

Total student activity – 200 hours

Assessment

You will be assessed by a completed clinical competency document demonstrating proficiency in NMC outcomes in the Clinical Area.

Academic attainment at Level 6 (degree level) is assessed by:

  • A reflective essay (2000 words).

Return to Nursing Practice student Sharon talks about her experiences of returning to nursing after taking a career break.

Entry requirements

This programme is designed for first-level nurses in adult nursing, mental health nursing or children's nursing and health visitors previously registered on the General Nursing Council (GNC), United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional register.

Second-level nurses (state-enrolled nurses) who have not undertaken a conversion course (not now available) would need to apply for entry to a pre-registration nursing degree course although prior nursing experience may be taken into consideration.

Candidates who have trained outside the UK and have never been registered with the NMC, must undertake and adaptation programme and therefore advice should be sought from the NMC.

Candidates should have:

  • The ability to study at Level 6 (degree level).
  • Availability to attend for interview.
  • Satisfactory occupational health and disclosure and barring service (DBS – previously CRB) clearance which are undertaken by the university.
  • Two satisfactory references.
  • The ability to fulfil the attendance requirements for the course.
  • Good health and character. The requirement for a statement of health and good character is requested by the NMC for students to gain re-entry to the professional register. The Course Director will be required to make this declaration for individual students upon successful completion of the course.

The criteria for determining health and good character is identified within two documents:

  • Coventry University Professional Suitability Protocol;
  • The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives (NMC, 2008).

To demonstrate good health and character the individual should demonstrate personal suitability for and have a commitment to nursing/health visiting from the point of admission and throughout the programme of study.

Personal suitability is defined as having such qualities as:

  • Reliability
  • Honesty
  • The ability to help people face difficult decisions
  • Evidence of decision making and sound judgement
  • Sensitivity and tolerance
  • The ability to maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries.

We welcome students with disabilities. We recognise that education is a right for all who can benefit from it and that students with disabilities have an equal right of access to higher education. Our staff also recognise that individuals with disabilities are the best source of expertise about themselves and their needs. All students with disabilities should be able to participate as far as is reasonably practical in the educational and social activities we make available. Such students should be encouraged to expect equal treatment as individuals and that they and their work will be considered solely on the basis of their quality. For further information please email disoff.ss@coventry.ac.uk.

Support with fees

If you live in England, then your course fees will be funded by NHS England. Find out more about how they can support you with your fees and the cost of childcare, travel and books:

How to apply

Apply now

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.