Bev Matthews, an experienced registered nurse, shares her reflections and insights on the 'Return to Practice' (RTP) course at a nursing and midwifery conference. She emphasizes the importance of gaining manager support, completing required clinical hours, and developing a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate nursing competence across four domains. Matthews also discusses the challenges and changes in practice, urging a shift in perception of RTP nurses and advocating for creative learning opportunities.

1. Return To Practice: My Experience
Bev Matthews RN MSc,
Transformation Associate, Horizons
Honorary Lecturer RtP, Birmingham City University
Registered Nurse, Russells Hall Hospital
Nursing and Midwifery Health and Wellbeing Conference
Whittington Health NHS Trust
16th May 2019
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice #WhitHealthConf

2. • A small, diverse team of people within the NHS that
supports change agents and builds change agency
• We tune into the latest change thinking and practice
in healthcare and other industries around the world
• The team has emerged through
years of supporting change
in the NHS and the wider
health and care system
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice #WhitHealthConf

3. @BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice #WhitHealthConf

4. 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 #WhitHealthConf

5. 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
Transformation Associate Nursing Now England & Transforming Perceptions of Midwifery Horizons

6. 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 #WhitHealthConf

7. 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 #WhitHealthConf

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

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

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

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

12. Things to think about:
• Stop calling us “The student”
– We have a name
• Learning Disability and Autism awareness training
– should be offered to all
• Think creatively about using RtP nurses skills
– Induction programme post reinstating on NMC register
– Create steps to develop confidence
• 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
@BevMatthewsRN #Return to Practice #WhitHealthConf

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