A growing number of dental nurses are choosing to return to the GDC register. As a nurse who has been through the process, I can say with confidence that it’s no picnic. A recent survey run by Dental Nurse Network sheds some light on why nurses left, why they’re returning, how they feel navigating the process, and how the ‘Get Back on the Register’ course from Dental Nurse Network helped.
Why did they leave?
Of the thirty-nine nurses who responded to the survey, many had been away from the register for a long time. The largest group had been away for six years or more, and only a small number of nurses had been away for less than a year. Their reasons for leaving weren’t usually a lack of interest in dentistry itself; they were more to do with things like career changes to non-dental/clinical roles, personal or family responsibilities, maternity or childcare (compounded by a lack of flexible working arrangements), relocation, poor pay, feeling undervalued, and the COVID pandemic. What does seem clear is that many nurses didn’t walk away from the profession lightly; decisions were often driven by life events or practical pressures rather than a loss of commitment to patient care.
Why are they coming back?
The biggest drivers for returning to the register were emotional ones, with ‘passion for the job’ and ‘missing dental nursing’ as standout themes. Respondents also talked about missing being part of a team, a sense of purpose, and a sense of routine. Personal circumstances also changed for some – some had their children starting school, and some were relocating back to the UK. Career development was also a large factor in returns, with some nurses returning with clear progress goals in mind such as gathering certificates in radiography or moving into assessor roles and even management. Although the return felt mostly promising, some concerns remained in relation to low pay, poor respect for the role, new regulations, and, in some cases, return of stress. Also, application processing time with the GDC was an issue.
So, how long does re-registration take?
Among those who have made it back onto the GDC register, most completed the entire process in under three months, with only a rare few that found themselves waiting much longer. For those still in the process of registering, the main obstacles are GDC processing delays, working through paperwork and CPD requirements, and finding a sponsor.
Thinking of getting back on?
If you’re considering coming back to dental nursing and, by requirement, the GDC register, the usual steps include:
- Checking GDC restoration requirements on the GDC website (including CPD expectations as well as fees).
- Completing the necessary CPD to meet the GDC standards.
- Submitting a restoration application to the GDC and waiting for processing.
The Dental Nurse Network’s ‘Get Back on the Register’ CPD bundle is designed specifically to support this journey, giving you hours and the topics, as well as the practical guidance you need to confidentially restore your registration, and for many nurses, to rediscover why you loved the profession in the first place.
Written by Ellie Hiton RDN, BA