Nicola Banner and Angela Bevan took time away from work for health and family reasons but they are among the successful students who have been able to resume the career they loved after completing the course.  They also benefited from the course being delivered in Carmarthen, closer to their homes.‌

The Return to Practice course prepares nurses whose registration has lapsed to go back to their field of nursing care in today’s dynamic and challenging clinical areas. 

The fully funded 18-week course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and as well as undertaking a clinical placement, students take part in study days as well as receiving advice on preparing a CV, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.

Nicola, from Narberth, took a break from nursing and worked as a peripatetic assessor in childcare, but after undergoing major surgery, she let her nursing registration lapse.

Now fully recovered, Nicola (left) decided she wanted to go back to nursing. She said: “I felt nervous, but I went along to an open day and signed up for the course.

“It was definitely the right decision for me and I was really surprised by how much knowledge came back when I returned to the wards. The course has got a really good reputation and it was designed so that our individual needs were met and so that we could be brought back up to date with nursing today.”

Angela, from Haverfordwest, recently completed the return to practice programme after a nine-year career break to raise her children. She said: “The main reason that I’m returning to nursing is that my children are becoming more independent and although I enjoy being a mum, I missed being Angela and I miss being part of a team.”

She added: “I had an excellent mentor who was very supportive and welcoming and I also got plenty of help from the tutors. There are plenty of opportunities to go on placements - I enjoyed my placement on coronary care so much that I’ve actually got a job there.”

Programme Director Keith Bradley-Adams said:  “At Swansea University we pride ourselves on having successfully run a leading Return to Practice course that is embedded in our commitment to nurse education and which provides a stepping stone to enable nurses return to their vocation.

“We are extremely proud of our award-winning course and believe our passion is reflected in the passion our students take into clinical practice.”

He said students’ lives can be transformed by undertaking the course.

He added: “They make new friends, develop new skills and regain their confidence.

“Feedback from colleagues in practice informs us that once registered, our students continue to deliver high-quality nursing care to their patients. Many also develop a desire to continue their education and return to the university to seek new challenges.”

Find out more about returning to a career in nursing and see Angela and Nicola’s stories at www.swansea.ac.uk/rtp/

You can book on to one of our information and interview days being held in Carmarthen on Friday, September 21 or in Swansea on Friday, October 12.