Preface ix
Acknowledgements xii
Chapter 1 Your Time to Return 1
Your Nursing Identity 2
The Starting Point 3
Why Did You Leave? 5
Is It the Right Time to Return? 5
What Have You Been Doing since You Stopped Nursing? 7
The Test of Competence: An Alternative Route to Re-Registration 9
Financial Issues 11
Thinking Ahead 11
References 12
Chapter 2 Preparation 14
Current Roles and Commitments 14
The Return to Practice Course 16
Application 17
Entry Requirements 17
Learning Differences 19
Professionalism 19
Admission Days and Interviews 20
Numeracy 22
NMC Professional Standards 25
Course Content and Structure 29
Planning Your Practice Placement 30
Supervised Practice Hours 31
Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) 32
Midwifery 33
Preparatory Study and Reading 33
Are You Ready? 35
References 35
Useful Website 36
Chapter 3 Bridging the Gap 37
Sharing Hopes and Fears 37
The Gap 39
Self-Efficacy – A Helpful Concept 40
Confidence and Competence 42
Self-Assessment 44
The Language of Nursing 51
What Has Been Happening Whilst You Have Been Away? 53
Professional Values 54
References 57
Chapter 4 Practice Placement 59
First Steps 59
Practice Provider Induction 62
Finding Your Feet 63
Team Working 69
Belbin’s Team Roles 71
Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisors 73
Confidence and Competence 79
Decision Making and Leadership 82
Understanding Scope of Practice and Your Chosen Field 85
How Will I Be Assessed? 88
Your Support Networks 91
References 93
Useful Website 95
Chapter 5 Reflective Practice 96
Stories 96
Self-Awareness 97
Introducing Reflection 99
Dipping into the Theory! 100
Models and Frameworks and the Reflective Process 103
Borton (1970) And Driscoll (1994, 2007) 104
Reflective Thinking and Writing Skills 105
Describing 107
Choosing Your Experience 109
Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) 110
Analysing 116
Future Learning and Action 118
Being a Reflective Practitioner 119
References 121
Chapter 6 Caring for Yourself 125
Course Progression Points 126
Self-Care: Managing Your Well-Being 128
Body: Physical Well-Being 129
Mind: Mental Well-Being 130
Spiritual Well-Being 136
Heart: Emotional Well-Being 136
Resilience 139
Compassion 143
Compassion Fatigue 146
Burnout 147
Balance 148
References 151
Chapter 7 Returning to Study 157
Preparation 158
Time 159
Place 163
Personal Learning Styles 164
Understanding Course Requirements 169
Learning Outcomes 170
A Framework for Academic Writing 170
Knowledge for Practice: The Evidence Base 173
Reading 176
Libraries 177
Referencing 179
Assignment Writing Process 183
Planning 184
Writing 185
Editing 187
Personal Tutorials 188
Additional Resources and Support 189
Achievement 190
References 190
Chapter 8 Re-Entering the Workforce 194
Celebrating Success 194
The NMC Re-Registration Process 195
Career 197
Job Applications 198
Interviews 199
Bank Nursing 200
Recruitment Agencies 200
The Independent Sector 201
Indemnity Insurance 201
Preceptorship 201
Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility 202
NMC Personal Re-Validation and Your Continuing Professional Development 206
References 207
What I Have Learnt about Myself 210
Index 212
