King's Lynn hospital bids to bring ex-nurses back to the role

Hospital bosses in Lynn have launched a fresh bid to attract former nurses back into the profession.

Applications are now open for a new Return to Practice programme, run by the University of East Anglia, which starts this autumn.

But, with the deadline for applications fast approaching, officials at Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital have appealed for nurses who haven’t practised for three years or more to come forward.

They say many nurses have already successfully returned to practice despite not having been registered as a nurse for at least a decade.

The programme aims to give them the confidence to adapt to changes in practice and use the experiences they have gained in those intervening years.

Practice development nurse Julia Saunders said: “We know that there are many experienced nurses who have let their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration lapse, having not practised for a number of years.

“There are a number of reasons which might have led to that, such as having a family or a change in circumstances due to a relationship or moving to a different area.

“These nurses have a wealth of knowledge and experience which we want to tap into in order to benefit our local community. We want to help them return to practice and welcome them into Team QEH.”

The deadline for applications for this autumn’s course is July 12. Students who have not practised for between three and seven years have to complete 20 days of clinical practice to get through the programme.

For more information, contact Julia Saunders on 01553 613613 ext 3306, email julia.saunders@qehkl.nhs.uk, or visit the hospital’s website, www.qehkl.nhs.uk.