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Return to Nursing Practice Programme – 2025. This programme is an exciting collaboration with NHS Highland and Glasgow Caledonian University.
We are now actively recruiting for our next cohort which will start on 8th September 2025. This cohort will focus on SCPHN, Midwifery, Adult, Child, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Nursing.
Nurses and midwives leave the profession over time for a variety of reasons, perhaps because of changes in personal circumstance, a career break or something else. This programme will be very rewarding both personally and professionally and gives nurses and midwives the opportunity to bring their skills and experience back to the profession and to nursing our patients.
Christine Campbell, Integrated Midwife, Skye and Lochalsh Midwifery Team gives insight into her experience of the Return to Practice Programme:
"I was delighted to be able to complete the new Return to Practice Programme in 2021. This was jointly run by Robert Gordon's University and NHS Highland. NHS Highland support the student through the course on Band 2, and then a one year, post graduate / re-registration, Band 5 midwifery post which allows for flying start to be completed, while being mentored and supported. This collaborative employment route is supported by NES who cover the course fees in return for a years post-registration commitment.
The 7-week full-time online academic course is complete and comprehensive, taking a week for each of the 6 Domains, as part of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Midwives, which guide all our midwifery practices and Code of Conduct. The 450 practice hours were completed in various areas in NHS Highland, in agreement with my Practice Assessor, I was able to consolidate any gaps in my practice that I required to update, so that it was able to be tailored to my needs and where I was going to be working. These practice hours can be completed either full or part-time but the whole cohort is presented for registration at the same time when all are completed. This Return to Practice Programme, has allowed me to return to a job that I love after a break of 12 years, and I continue to thoroughly appreciate the privilege it is to be a midwife again in this remote and rural community in NHS Highland."
Entry requirements to apply
* Evidence of previous NMC registration on part one of the register.
* Following successful interview undertake and complete all required pre-employment checks including PVG Clearance from Disclosure Scotland and Occupational Health screening for immunisations.
* Commitment to fulfil the programme and then remain within employment for a minimum of one year with NHS Highland following successful completion of the programme.
* Be able to attend the academic / theory element of the course without interruption, i.e. holidays.
Our commitment to you:
NHS Highland will support you financially, meaning you will be paid as a Band 2 for the full duration of the programme. On successful completion of the course you will be offered permanent employment in a substantive band 5 post. You will receive full academic and practical placement support. You will gain a range of clinical competencies and skills including medicine management, safe calculation of medicine doses, organisational aspects of care and much more. If you apply for funding with NES you should have your course fees paid .
For more information please contact John Sinclair, Lead Practice Education Facilitator; email: john.sinclair@uhi.ac.uk
Interviews are planned for week commencing 11th August.
This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa. NHS Highland is unable to provide candidates with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
* You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.
As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and Social Care values.
Care and compassion
Dignity and respect