RCN scholarships and awards for members http://www.rcn.org.uk/membership/scholarshipsawards/rcnmembers

NESC funds one year pilot GPN Foundation Programme

NHS Education South Central [NESC] was established in April 2007 as part of South Central SHA's long term aspirations to support the development of health staff. Recognising that the General Practice Nurse (GPN) will play a major part in achieving the shift of health care delivery from secondary to primary care, NESC is funding a year long pilot GPN foundation programme for 12 nurses who have never worked in General Practice before.

This programme aims to ensure that GP employers in the future can expect a certain level of consistency in terms of knowledge, skills and competence from the GPN, in addition to offering a career pathway for nurses in primary care.

The nurses will be based in training practices across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and will undertake a Level 3 accredited programme providing them with a base line competence in the GPN role. The nurse trainees will undertake 1 day per week protected learning time, in either taught sessions or clinical work based learning, in addition to a minimum of 2 hours clinical supervision per week.

Nurses will be recruited to the programme on Band 5 and training practices will be reimbursed 40% of the nurse's full time salary, in addition to receiving a training allowance.

Recruitment for nurse trainees for this pilot programme commences in May 2008 and will be advertised on the NHS Jobs website. Enquiries from qualified nurses who have not worked in General Practice before will be welcome.

For further details please contact the project lead, Sandy Tinson, sandy.tinson@tiscali.co.uk

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RCN members

A new dermatology learning opportunity on skin eczema can be found in the Clinical Skills area on the learning Zone http://www.rcn.org.uk/
This new on-line RCN learning is aimed primarily at nurse prescribers who manage skin conditions, You will find engaging learning activities, reflection boxes and further evidence-based resources to help you develop your knowledge - and to apply it in practice. This Dermatology learning area will consist of eight learning opportunities, each one addressing a common condition or topic

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A toolkit for nurses considering applying for training http://www.educationforhealth.org.uk/pages/businesscase.asp

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The Development of Undergraduate Student Nurse Placements

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Link to Practice Nursing web site

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Oxfordshire Health Care APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME Information booklet