When did you first introduce the innovation?
Between 12 and 24 months ago
Please describe the innovation you have developed
The Return to Practice Nursing and Return to Practice Midwifery programme enables former nurses and midwives to return back into the profession and re-enter employment in Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport announced support for this programme and funding has been made available to students.
What prompted you to develop this innovation?
Workforce planning in Scotland suggests that there will be a need for an increased number of nurses, health visitors and midwives to meet service, quality and safety needs within Health and Social Care settings.
In your view, what is it about this innovation that makes it different/important?
Since this innovation, student numbers have grown per delivery of the programme suggesting there is a growing demand for access. Demand and increase in student numbers may be due to the funding being available but what is important is the numbers of nurses and midwives available to fill vacancies and return to the Scottish workforce.
Successfully negotiating with a range of service providers outwith Greater Glasgow & Clyde, facilitates students undertaking their practice learning experience nearer to home widening access to the programme.
To what extent does your innovation make use of existing approaches, resources or technologies?
The Return to Practice Nursing and Return to Practice Midwifery programme utilises the skills of staff within the Department of Nursing & Community Health. The programme utilising a blended learning approach to facilitate differing learner styles and develops learners IT skills by using GCULearn. Students are also supported by the Learning Development Centre which is very well evaluated by students and assists with developing academic skills.
To what degree has this innovation led to changes in education or clinical practice?
Students who have in the past not undertaken a degree, acquire the competence to study and write to degree level. Students learn to critique current policy and research which underpins practice, enhancing the delivery of safe, effective, quality care to patients/clients. Whilst undertaking practice learning experience, students learn how to work within a contemporary health care setting, achieve competence and confidence to deliver high quality patient care.
What evidence do you have of the impact of the innovation?
Following successful completion of the programme, a high percentage of students have gained employment and entered into the workforce filling vacancies within the NHS in Scotland. Student evaluations have reported 98% satisfaction with the programme and the module pass rate for January intake was 99%.
To what degree has the innovation been disseminated in your organisation or elsewhere?
Raising awareness sessions about the programme within GCU have been undertaken. The programme is also shown on the NMC site and the NES site where students can access details regarding the Scottish Government/NES funding opportunities. The programme is also disseminated through all nursing and midwifery networks.
A BLOG and Facebook page for the programme is currently being devised.
Please provide details of any plans you have to disseminate the innovation in the future.
In collaboration with the Learning Development Centre, a publication is being considered and conference presentations thereafter.