How to become a GP Nurse
Most nurses come into practice nursing after working in secondary care or community nursing for a few years. It is possible to become a practice nurse as a newly qualified nurse but it is important to find the right practice so that you can be offered the appropriate level of support to be able to work autonomously. To support your transition to GPN, EQUIP – one of our local training providers, offer a range of short Practice Nurse development courses. Anglia Ruskin and other universities offer an all-encompassing Fundamentals of Practice Nursing course.
Download our guide to General Practice Nursing here
Funding is currently available for transitioning nurses to undertake a Fundamentals of GPN course. Course details are available on the following universities websites:
- Essex University – please get in touch via the enquiry form below to express interest / obtain course details
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Suffolk
- University of Hertfordshire
To find out how to access the funding, please get in touch via the enquiry form below.
How to transition into GP Nursing
Although many of the adverts for practice nurses do ask for experience, it is not impossible to move from secondary care into practice nursing. Whilst most vacancies do ask for experience in a range of skills, practice managers realise they may not find a nurse who can do all those things when they are appointed. Practice nursing is a very varied role and even an experienced practice nurse cannot do everything. Have a think about the relevant skills you have and update your CV accordingly. You have many transferable skills that practice managers would be very interested in. For example minor illness and minor injury management, triage, wound care, working autonomously, management of long term conditions, ECG interpretation, mental health, knowledge of the community services available so you can discharge patients safely, and many more. Once you have done this you should apply for any practice nurse jobs you are interested in – you may be pleasantly surprised! You may have to be flexible and consider working part time as a practice nurse initially, perhaps doing bank or agency work as well, but with a nursing background you should find a post in primary care. If you are returning to nursing and would like to become a Practice Nurse, Anglia Ruskin University offers a Return to Practice course.
For further information on becoming a GPN you may also wish to visit the General Practice Nurse Education Network website: https://gpnen.org.uk/early-career/
Case Study
Stacy met a Practice Nurse as a student and was inspired by her knowledge and presence as a health care professional. Stacey’s route into becoming a Practice Nurse began with her obtaining her Nursing qualification. After this she volunteered as a Practice Nurse to get her foot in the door. As a result of this she was offered a post as a Junior Practice Nurse and has progressed by moving between jobs.
Stacy comments: “I like the autonomy and the ability to influence your practice and make a difference with patients on a daily basis. I would not do another job in nursing now after being a practice nurse.”
The Queens Nursing Institute
If you would like more information on General Practice Nursing, The Queens Nursing Institute have recently launched a new website that has information about how to get into GP nursing as well as support for new and experienced GPNs.
To access their website and resource click here.
