NHS in Derbyshire is offering help for professionals who have had a career break return to work

The health service wants to see nurses, midwives and allied health professionals come back to their health and social care careers and is offering free university course places and a bursary of at least £500 to help with costs such as travel, childcare and books, with a potential support package of up to £3,000 to cover the duration of the course.

NHS staff touch the lives of more than one million people who live in Derby and Derbyshire, caring for each and every one of them with care and compassion when it matters most. There are vacancies waiting for returnees in both health and social care roles in Derby and Derbyshire.

The return to practice programme, led by Health Education England, supports the commitments made in the NHS Long Term Plan to recruit more people into the workforce and ensure staff have rewarding jobs and work in a positive culture.

The move to encourage more professionals to return to practice is timely with 2020 being the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

Lynn Andrews, director of nursing and patient care at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As a nurse for more than 30 years I have seen the role of the nurse evolve and develop into a graduate profession with additional technical skills and competencies.

“However, what always remains at the core of our role is the unique relationship we have with our patients, their families and their loved ones, and the ability we have as nurses to ‘make a difference’ through our care and compassion.”

It is known that nurses leave the profession for a variety of reasons. Some have children or start a new career, while others retire.

Many want to come back but do not know they can or where to start and NHS organisations in Derby and Derbyshire are keen to support nurses and midwives on their journey back with useful information on financial support, where to find courses and tips on applications and interviews.

For more information about the Return to Practice programme contact Joined Up Careers Derbyshire on 01629 532415 or email [email protected].