This document summarizes Bev Matthews' experience returning to nursing practice after time away through a Return to Practice course. It discusses her background and career history in nursing. It then outlines the process of getting on a Return to Practice course, including requirements like clinical hours, competency demonstrations, and portfolio development. The document reflects on some differences Bev noticed in patient handling, beds, and other areas. It concludes by sharing Bev's thoughts on 12-hour shifts, mentors, teamwork, and opportunities for Return to Practice nurses.

1. Reclaiming my power
Bev Matthews RN MSc
Clinical Lead & Transformation Associate, Horizons
Honorary Lecturer RtP, Birmingham City University
Registered Nurse, Russells Hall Hospital
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice
Return to Practice Event
Healthier Futures
Black Country and West Birmingham
1st March 2022

2. Return to Practice 2017
• Who am I and where have I been
• Getting onto the Return To Practice course
• Some differences I found
• My thoughts and reflections
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

3. Who am I?
Role Areas of Focus Organisation
Student Nurse Adult nursing Dudley School of Nursing
Staff Nurse Diabetes Medical Ward Russell’s Hall Hospital
Staff Nurse Adult ITU Brompton Hospital, London
Senior Staff Nurse Renal Ward and Dialysis Unit Royal Sussex County Hospital
Branch Director Nursing & Care Agency British Nursing Association
Transplant Coordinator Donation & transplantation (heart, lung, liver, kidney) UHB Hospitals Birmingham
Programme Lead Organ Donation and Transplantation: Public Awareness WM Specialised Services
Network Manager Kidney transplantation, Dialysis, Supporting Young Adults WM Specialised Services
National Director NHS Kidney Care & NHS Liver Care NHS Diabetes & Kidney Care
Programme Lead Long Term Conditions & Year of Care Commissioning Sustainable Improvement Team
Student Nurse Return to Practice Birmingham City University &
Russells Hall Hospital
Clinical Lead and
Transformation Associate
Large scale change and clinical transformation Horizons

4. Getting onto the RtP Course
1. Deciding to do it!
2. Gaining line manager support and building into PDP
3. Deciding which University
4. Deciding which Provider Trust:
• Geography
• Connections
5. Deciding which specialism:
• Take advice
• Stay focused on gaining RN PIN
6. Gaining clearance to practice:
• Patient Handling
• Basic Life Support
• Occupational Health
• Disclosure & Barring Service
7. Creating a network:
• Colleagues on the course
• Other RtP friends
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

5. Key Requirements
 150 hours of clinical practice
 40 hours with sign off mentor
 Demonstrate competence in nursing in four domains of practice:
 professional and ethical practice;
 care delivery;
 care management;
 leadership, management and team working.
 Development of a portfolio of evidence
 comprising of successful completion of Professional Practice
Profile
 2,000 word assignment
 Utilising up to date evidence; reflect and evaluate a
development/change in an aspect of nursing practice from your
previous period of practice and this return to practice programme
and the resultant impact on your care delivery
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

6. What is different: Handling Patients
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

7. What was different: Hoists
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

8. What is different: Beds
Click on picture for video
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

9. Thoughts and reflections:
• 12 hour shifts
• Sign off Mentor
• Team Working
• Pathways
• Boxes of chocolates
• University Tutor
• Being a Student Nurse
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

10. Things to think about:
• Stop calling us “The student”
• We have a name
• Learning Disability and Autism awareness training
• Now offered to all
• Grab opportunities
• Spend a shift out with your local ambulance crew
• Shadow one of the senior nursing team
• Offering to teaching on the Return to Practice course
• Join in with School for Change Agents
• Think creatively about using RtP nurses skills
• Induction programme post reinstating on NMC register
• Create steps to develop confidence
• Join the Trust bank
• Clinical lead for leaders of the future
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

11. Jeremy Heimens, Henry Timms New Power: How it’s changing the 21st Century and why you need to know (2018)
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

12. @BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice

13. Thank You
@BevMatthewsRN @HorizonsNHS
Bev.Matthews@NHS.net
horizonsnhs.com
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