Former nurses asked to re-start their careers in Jersey

Former nurses are being encouraged to re-start their careers by Jersey's health and social services department.

Recruiting and keeping nurses has long been an issue for the island's health service.

So it is urging trained nurses to get back into the profession as part of its aim to recruit locally.

The department is particularly interested in nurses with experience in mental health care and general adult nursing.

Successful applicants will be given 150 hours of theory and 150 hours of clinical training as part of the Return to Practice programme, which starts next May.

Local workforce

There will be information sessions to learn more about the scheme later this month.

Julie Mesny, head of nursing and midwifery education at the health department, said: "We are holding the sessions on 23 and 24 November in the Education Centre in the Hospital, and we hope that anyone interested will come along, if they are a registered nurse, but haven't worked as a nurse for some time.

"All we need interested people to bring with them is evidence of a current or prior registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council."

Deputy Anne Pryke, health minister, said: "This is an important opportunity for us not only to recruit people who want to re-start their nursing career, but also as part of [the health and social services department's] commitment to develop local workforce capacity."