ProNurse

Hi Everyone,

Just signed up to the forum, so I thought I would introduce myself.

I'm currently (like quite a few, it seems) looking at returning to nursing after a career break bringing up kids and the like.  My registraion has lapsed though, so I'm now trying to find a place on a return to nursing course.

My background is in Critical Care Nursing, within Cardiac ITU,  General ITU and Coronary Care.

Regards, Andy

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would update this thread,life has been a little more than hectic in the last few months.

I started a Return to Practice course back in April at Northampton University, and undertook my supervised hours in a busy unit of my local hospital.  Results came out last Friday and I passed the course and am now waiting for my PIN to be re-activated.

So how was it?  OK, the academic side was OK and certainly jolted my brain cell back into action, even to the point of considering further study when I am settled in post somewhere. My care study was enjoyable as was the freedom to do some independant study and research.

My clinical placement was excellent and I felt a part of the team within my first shift, so much so that I have applied for a post on the unit and was interviewed yesterday :)

As a 40-something return to practice after a long break (somewhere over 10 years)  it felt quite daunting walking onto the ward for the first time. What I did find was that I was accepted as a part of the team and felt that my previous experience was still very relevant. I was able to build up my confidence quickly and regain my competence.  Though the NMC guidelines state a minimum of 75 hours on the clinical placement I was able to spend more time, clocking up over 150 hours, but this was for me.

Personally, I think that returning to practice is the right thing for me and I am looking forward to starting life back on the wards as a qualified nurse.

All the best,  Andy

Congratulations Andy.

The news from the trenches so far -

I am now a registered nurse again, for the first time in a long time.  My PIN card came through last week at the same time as a conditional offer from the Hospital. Just references, medical and CRB to sort out and then a start date can be negotiated.

Regards,  Andy