Information for employers - GPN Trainees

Training Hubs claim for the non-tuition elements of the financial package (training grant and mentoring costs) on behalf of the employing practices once the learner has commenced on programme (not before). Any invoices received ahead of commencement on the programme will not be approved.

To claim funding, practices need to email their local Borough Training Hub, including the following information:

• the name of the learner

• the name of the practice

• which university they're studying with

• which pathway they are on (Academic/Foundation)

• when did they start

• when they're projected to finish

In order to participate in the programme and benefit from the available NHSE funding, practices will be required to comply and adhere to a set of terms and conditions.

A full set of Ts&Cs will be outlined in an SLA shared with interested practices. These include:

GPN Trainee contract

The GPNt must be employed by the practice on a substantive contract of employment for 5 days per week, Monday to Friday. 

This arrangement enables the GPNt to work in the practice providing patient care and other support for the practice team at arranged times to suit the practice and by mutual agreement with the GPNt whilst completing the training programme. 

It is expected that the trainee will need to take up to 2.5 days out of practice during term time and for study leave as detailed below whilst on the training programme. 

GPN Trainee salary

Practices are to employ GPNts on a salary which is, at minimum, equivalent to Agenda for Change mid-point of Band 5 plus any Higher Cost Area Supplement, if appropriate i.e., minimum £32,324 per annum + London weighting depending on the location of the employer + on costs. This is aligned with NHSE guidelines. Practices should also make consideration for the nurse’s previous experience in any salary negotiations.

NHSE, provides partial reimbursement of the salary cost of the GPNT. 

The available funding varies dependent on the selected training pathway:  

• Founding for the foundation course – employers are entitled to a training grant of £1,500.  

• Academic programme – employers are entitled to a training grant of £17,000. 

The practice is required to pay the rest of the salary plus any on costs such as NI, pension etc.  

Funding will be available 12 weeks after the start of the GPNT’s contract and is contingent on the terms and conditions of the SLA being fully met. 

Provision of a Practice Assessor 

The practice is expected to provide a senior GPN assessor who will be available to support the GPNt at all times when they are in the building, one of whom will take primary responsibility for supervising and assessing the GPNt.

Practices are required to provide at least 30 minutes per day of protected time for the assessor to support the GPNt, preferably before the clinical work starts at the beginning of the day.  

The NHSE will reimburse the Practice a total payment of: 

• £3k total for the work of the in-house assessor for GPNts on the Academic pathway 

• £1.5k total for the work of the in-house assessor for GPNts on the Foundation course 

Funding will be available to be drawn from NCL Training Hub approx. 12 weeks after the start of the GPNt’s contract and is contingent on the terms and conditions of the SLA being fully met.  

It is strongly recommended that this funding is used for the on-going education of the senior GPN who is responsible for mentoring the GPNt in practice. It can also be used to pay for an external assessor, if needed. 

Study leave

The practice will release the GPNT to attend all study days, as follows: 

• Related to the academic part of the programme at the Higher Education Institution (HEI) 

• Other essential learning opportunities provided by the practice and local health providers  
  and trainers.  

• Additional study days recommended by the Practice and/or Training Hub. 

NB Study days are not to be taken in the GPNT’s own time. 

Access to CPD training

The practice also agrees to provide the GPNT with a minimum 35 protected hours (in total across three years) during work hours to attend monthly nurse forums and any relevant CPD training events, as part of the NMC revalidation process. 

Funding for the academic and foundation training university fees 

University fees are funded by National Health Service England (NHSE) and paid directly to the Higher Education Institute (HEI).  

Full information about the Foundation and Academic pathways can be found here.