Former nurses can re-train as part of Leighton Hospital scheme

Former nurses have a chance to be paid while they retrain following the return of an award-winning programme at South Cheshire’s Leighton Hospital.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is set to launch its latest ‘Return to Practice programme’ in September 2018.

The scheme is run in partnership with the University of Chester and is designed to fit around the professional and personal needs of former registered nurses and enrolled nurses interested in resuming their career.

‘Return to Practice’ nurses receive paid holidays, staff benefits and are guaranteed a full or part-time position on successful completion of the course.

It will be the fourth time Mid Cheshire Hospitals has run the programme, which was named as ‘Return to Practice’ Course of the Year at last year’s Student Nursing Times Awards.

Judges praised it for helping to smooth nurses back into their profession and help them quickly and easily get up to speed with modern practice, however long they have been away.

Julie Tunney, director of nursing and quality at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “We are very proud of our Return to Practice programme.

“It’s a flexible course with support at every step and so truly embraces the needs of former nurses so that they can return to a career in nursing.

“Former nurses can retrain in an area where they want to work and we fit the programme, which has no course fees, around any personal needs and commitments.”

Those on to the programme will work alongside current nurses while picking up new skills in Leighton Hospital’s School of Nursing.

As well as a full-time salary of £16,968, trainees also receive support and training from an experienced Practice Education Facilitator team and nursing mentors.

Julie added: “If you have previously trained as a nurse and feel ready to put your invaluable skills and experience back into practice we’d be very happy to speak to you about the options available.”

Applications are now being accepted for the September 2018 cohort and will close on May 1.

For further information please contact the Trust’s recruitment team on 01270 273937 / [email protected]

A link to the application form can also be found at www.mcht.nhs.uk/jobs

(Pic: Staff from Return to Practice scheme and the University of Chester celebrate at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2017)