Former nurses urged to resume careers

A call for former nurses to re-enter the profession has been made in an effort to address a 1,500 shortfall in nursing staff numbers.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jan 2016, 17:15 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2016, 17:19 BST
Chief nursing officer, Charlotte McArdle. and Professor Owen Barr from the University of Ulster, launch the Return to Practice campaignChief nursing officer, Charlotte McArdle. and Professor Owen Barr from the University of Ulster, launch the Return to Practice campaign
Chief nursing officer, Charlotte McArdle. and Professor Owen Barr from the University of Ulster, launch the Return to Practice campaign

The Department of Health campaign, which has been launched against a backdrop of threatened industrial action by nurses over pay and a number of other issues, promotes a 15-week Return to Practice programme at the Ulster University.

The chief nursing officer, Professor Charlotte McArdle, said: “I would encourage all nurses who are thinking about returning to practice to grasp this opportunity to renew their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and to enable the profession to continue to deliver the highest standards of nursing care at this challenging time.”

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Professor Owen Barr, head of the Ulster University’s School of Nursing, said the programme “will provide nursing professionals with a new learning experience to update and develop professional competence, skills and knowledge”.

Prof Barr added: “Informed by Ulster University’s world-leading research, the course focuses on the practical learning experience and will facilitate partnership working with service users, patients, clients and members of the social and health care team.”

Threatened industrial action by nurses took a step closer earlier this month when the nurses’ union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), rejected a one-off payment worth around £300, claiming their counterparts in other UK regions were better off due to an increase in their regular salary.

RCN director Janice Smyth said its members will be balloted on industrial action short of strike action.

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On Monday, Ms Smyth welcomed news of the recruitment campaign but said it would have no bearing on the potential for industrial action.

Ms Smyth said: “There are many issues relating to the nursing workforce that need attention. We have more nurses in Northern Ireland who are in the lower [pay] band five than anywhere else in the United Kingdom ... and we know that nurses’ pay here is the lowest in the United Kingdom.”

She added: “It is a very positive step, and it certainly will help, but there are other actions that are also required.”

Applications for the Return to Practice programme are now open and further information is available at www.ulster.ac.uk/home

Related topics:Department of HealthRoyal College of Nursing