Return to practice midwives

You already have the skills and experience to make a big difference to women, birthing people and their families and we want to support you on your return to practice journey. There are different ways to return to practice and we will support you every step of the way.

Readmission

You might be able to re-register with the NMC without doing a course or test. You'll need:

• 450 registered practice hours over the last three years or 750 hours over the last five, including any practice hours gained on the COVID-19 temporary register
• 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) in the last three years
• to provide three character references

You can apply directly through the NMC website or if you want to use hours worked through the COVID-19 temporary register, you'll need to email the NMC to request a paper copy of the readmission pack.

Once you have re-registered get in touch with our Recruitment and Retention Team to discuss our current job opportunities.

Return to Midwifery

If you have an active registration but have been out of clinical practice for up to three years, we still need you! And we can help you come back. Just register your interest here and you’ll be connected to a local return to midwifery contact who can support your journey back to midwifery.

Registered midwives who are not currently working in clinical practice can also access a new online training programme on the eLearning for Health website to help them to return to frontline maternity services. It includes online modules, mentoring, and clinical supervision to help you to return to clinical midwifery with confidence.

Return to Practice

A return to practice course will refresh your skills, leaving you ready to return to midwifery with confidence. It involves a combination of classroom and placement-based learning, so you can get stuck in right from the start. You’ll also be assigned a personal mentor to support you through your studies.

The course takes between 3 and 12 months to complete, depending on how long you’ve been out of practice.

Financial support for your studies

We offer several funded places each year in conjunction with the University of West Of England, these are divided into a Spring and Autumn cohort. You can apply via an advert on the NHS jobs website and you can sign up for alerts to let you know when it appears. If you apply through us, your course and placement fees will be covered and you’ll receive a band 3 salary whilst completing the Return to Practice followed by a band 5 salary once you have your registration.

While completing your clinical placements, you’ll be given supernumerary status, meaning you’ll be an addition to existing staff, giving you the time and space you need to learn.