Return to Practice Programme Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Evaluation of the Return to Practice Programme
IRAS ID
202068
Contact name
R. Frederique Lamontagne Godwin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City University London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
In response to concerns over a predicted chronic nursing shortage recent focus has been placed on Return to practice (RTP) programmes. This approach is favoured among commissioners because it is both economical and quick in increasing the nursing workforce. The importance of increasing the number of qualified nurses practicing has been emphasised by the development of safe-staffing guidelines to meet service, quality and safety needs (HEE, 2014; NICE, 2014). In order to encourage former nurses back to practice it is important to understand the motivations, expectations and experiences of current returnees by evaluating RTP programmes.
We will evaluate the programme running within North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and to a wider extent on those funded by HE NCEL.
This study has six aims.
1. To explore the factors that led to the nurses leaving the profession;
2. To explore the factors that influence nurses to return to professional practice;
3. To explore the expectations and experiences of nurses (returnees) who undertake the RTP programme;
4. To explore the expectations and experiences of providers (mentors, practice education facilitators and senior managers) of the RTP programme;
5. To explore the operation of the RTP programme, identifying factors that facilitated or hindered the student and mentor experience;
6. To explore returnee’s career aspirations following their return to practice.
Current students on the RTP in NELFT will be interviewed. Senior managers will also be interviewed and mentors will convene to discuss similar themes in a focus group. All students on the RTP programme will be invited to complete a questionnaire electronically emailed to them The students will be asked to complete the questionnaires on completion of the RTP programme. All data will be made anonymous and no individual will be identified in any reports or presentations.REC name
N/A
REC reference
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