GPN Funding – FAQ’s
Advanced Practice Funding and General Practice Nurse funding.
a) Advanced Practice Funding
The Scottish Government is making a significant investment in education to prepare practitioners for advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) roles. A letter from the Scottish Government was circulated to all clinical areas in June 2017 requesting completion of an Education Needs Analysis (ENA) tool to identify the education required by practitioners between 2017 and 2021 to meet the requirements of the ANP role.
All clinical areas, including general practices, who submitted an ENA will be contacted by NES in mid-October 2017 for more detailed information of individual practitioners so that course fees can be reimbursed. Clinical areas will again be invited to request funding for ANP education from 1st April 2018 if they require it; this will include those clinical areas that did not identify a need for ANP education this year.
b) General Practice Nurse funding.
The Primary Care Division at Scottish Government has made funding available specifically for education and CPD for general practice nurses (GPNs) to prepare them for their developing role. This is in addition to the ANP funding. However, if the GPN is undertaking masters modules as part of preparation for an ANP role it would be more appropriate for them to access the ANP funding.
/Topic
/Question
/ AnswerDear Sir/Madam
With regard to the recent communication received in relation to the above, my Practice Nurse is wondering if she would be able to apply for MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice or is it just individual modules that can be applied for? /
MSc Advance Practice
/ Q Would a Practice Nurse be able to apply for MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice./ A
Yes although the GPN funding would only cover modules commencing before March 31st 2018.
Also please see information below regarding advanced practice funding and GPN funding.
Good afternoon,
I wonder if you could advise where I could find out exactly what funding is available for Practice Nurse development? We have an experienced Practice Nurse (prescriber) who is interested in progressing to ANP status eventually. If my understanding is correct there is a requirement in Scotland for an M.Sc. in order to attain this designation. Fortunately there are M.Sc. courses run by a couple of universities which she would be able to apply for, one of which has a January intake and would therefore be eligible for the current round of funding.
Can you advise what funding covers – i.e. is it just the course fees or is there any element of backfill for time off for classroom / practical / assessment attendance / subsistence costs?
We’re very keen to progress this on her behalf and our own.
Should she apply for the funding first or try to secure a place on the course before applying for funding. /
Advanced Practice
/Q Could the funding support a practice nurse progressing to advance practice?
/ Please see information below regarding advanced practice funding and GPN funding.Can you advise what funding covers – i.e. is it just the course fees or is there any element of backfill for time off for classroom / practical / assessment attendance / subsistence costs? /
Funding
/Q What does the funding cover
/ A The funding covers the cost of the course fees. There is also funding available for exceptional travel costs.This funding does not cover backfill for attendance or subsistence
Should I apply for the funding first or try to secure a place on the course before applying for funding. / /
Q Should funding be applied for before applying for the course
/ A If the nurse meets the criteria stated on the guidance then funding will be available. If a course has already been applied for or paid for then retrospective funding is available using the same questback form.I am interested in obtaining further information on the courses that the GPN funding can be used for. In particular, where they are run and over what period. /
Course Information
/Q I want information about courses that are available for GPN’s
/ A Information about accredited modules such as Prescribing, Clinical Assessment, Leadership. etc are available on University websites.Other course such as minor illness and triage are often provided locally by NHS Boards and independent course providers.
The GPN education advisers are in an ideal position to advice on suitable courses.
Irecently left a surgery would I be entitled to apply for funding? /
GPN Posts
/Q Can the funding be accessed by a nurse who is not in a current GPN post
/ A No, the nurse must be in a current GPN post and be supported by their GP practice to access this fundingAm I able to apply for e-Learning courses / /
Q Am I able to apply for e-Learning courses
/ A Yes, they would be considered for this funding if they fall into the acceptable categories such as those stated within the communication flyerIs this funding available to Nurse Practitioners / /
Q Is this funding available to Nurse Practitioners
/ A No, this funding is only for General Practice Nurses currently employed within a Practice