Former nurses are being encouraged to return to work with a free refresher course at the University of Greenwich, plus a bursary to cover expenses.

Nurses will attend the university for a full week at a time – during the family friendly hours of 10am to 3pm – between blocks of clinical experience at their local hospital or NHS Trust. The three-month programme includes three weeks at university.

The offer is part of the NHS’s ‘Come Back’ campaign to make it easier than ever to return to nursing.

Evette Sebastian Roberts, who has just completed the Return to Practice programme, says it helped make up her mind. “I am a passionate and caring health professional who still sees nursing as a vocation. I needed to be sure that my approach was matched by national and public expectations,” she says.

“The course gave me confidence that putting patients first is still at the heart of nursing. It also raised my awareness of the extensive changes in practice over the years.”

Evette says the practical help, from resuscitation and manual handling skills to writing and research techniques, made her feel ready to return: “It’s like I never left nursing.”

Denis Crapnell, of the Faculty of Education & Health, responsible for health partnerships at the university, says: “This is a flexible and supportive way for former nurses to return. We are working closely with our local hospitals and NHS trusts to ensure the Return to Practice programme dovetails with their arrangements.”

The next course starts in January. Those interested can contact Course Enquiries on 020 8331 9000 or email courseinfo@gre.ac.uk

NHS ‘Come Back’ campaign: http://comeback.hee.nhs.uk/

For further information on studying Nursing in Greenwich’s Faculty of Education & Health: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/faculty/eduhea/partnerships/cpd/health/courses/return-programme

Story by Public Relations