- 12 January 2021
- 3 min read
What Band 5 Salary Nurses Get Paid In 2021 – And What You’ll Do To Earn It
A quick guide to what a Band 5 position will now pay – and what you will be required to do to earn that salaryThe New Pay Deal for the NHS was signed in 2018 and ensured a minimum pay increase for all nurses at all bandings over the subsequent three years. Here’s what it means for Band 5 nurses.
Comments
See the end of the article for response and comments
Your new pay packet
We are nearing the end of the current pay deal, but here we can briefly examine what you’ll currently earn in a Band 5 position – and what you will be required to do to earn that salary.
Entry level Nurses currently earn £24,907 with 1-2 years’ experience, while those with 2-4 years’ experience will earn £26,970 a year.
Beyond this, and for any other banding or level of experience, you can find out exactly what you’ll be paid by using our handy NHS pay table and NHS New Pay Deal calculator.
The highest possible annual salary within this banding currently will be £30,615.
Your duties at Band 5
For a Band 5 general nursing position, first and foremost you’ll need to be NMC registered, which will require you to have a nursing degree.
Within the job, you’ll often be the first point of contact for a patient, and you’ll normally work within a multi-disciplinary team.
Whether dealing with minor injuries or people with chronic health issues, you’ll help to provide assessments of the patient, evaluate their needs and plan their ongoing journey in your care setting – and beyond.
On any given day, you could be expected to:
• Write patient care plans
• Monitor pulse, blood pressure and temperature
• Observe and record the condition of patients
• Check and administer drugs and injections
• Set up drips and blood transfusions
• Assist with tests and evaluations
• Plan discharges from hospitals
• Communicate with families and friends of patients
This is just a broad guide, as the responsibilities you’ll have could vary greatly according to the specialist area you work in, and whether you’re hospital or community based.
Typically, you’ll be expected to work in a shift pattern that can include evenings, weekends and nights.
But community roles could afford you a more structured, 9-5 role.
Find your next Band 5 position today
Whether you’re newly qualified or looking for new experience, we have roles to suit every nurse at every stage of their career.
Comments
From Theresa, by email
"I would like to point out that for specialist staff nurses band 6 who are the most important team in specialist area of a hospital an ITU requires 65% of Staff Nurses to be Band 6 to meet standards of care, this group of Staff Specialised Nurses have been capped at a very low rate.
"I have been a specialist Nurse in ITU / CCU both Adult & Paediatric for more than 8 yrs, I have been a Nurse for more than 25 yrs, have been a band 7 for 4 yrs but due to change of location had to take a band 6.
"It is not possible to simply say you need to climb through the bands to earn a better salary.
"I believe this article needs to also look at the requirements of any NHS Trust. There is a limited # of Band 7 positions and Band 8 - its the Christmas tree scenario / effect.
"So I believe that Band 6 Specialist Nurses should have more pay scale as some work in ITU / CCU / NICU, A&E, Theatres / Recovery.
"The list is ongoing - more investment in these area of Band 6 specialist nurses is required as they fall into the same category as Band 6 on a General Ward with no post graduate courses or experience."
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About the author
Co-Founder
I studied English before moving into publishing in the mid 90s. I co-founded this and our other three sites in 2008. I wanted to provide a platform that gives a voice to those working in health and social care. I'm fascinated, generally, by the career choices we all make. But I'm especially interested in the stories told by those who choose to spend their life supporting others. They are mostly positive and life-affirming stories, despite the considerable challenges and burdens faced.
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Sign In JoinMatt Farrah
Matt Farrah
4 months agoHere's a fuller reply to Michelle's question from a nursing colleague that I spoke to about this: "Oh god... that ... read more
Here's a fuller reply to Michelle's question from a nursing colleague that I spoke to about this: "Oh god... that sounds scary!Bless her. If she’s being put in charge as a full time thing, she should be getting paid for it as a band 6.But if it’s just the ‘nurse in charge’ for the day, they do this a lot and that’s no extra cost apparently! They tend to rotate who’s leading the day between nurses and then have the main band 6 or matron as well to help where needed. If that makes sense.But if she’s not comfortable doing this, then she needs to speak up and change it :( it’s not fair to put a newly qualified in this position if they aren’t ready for it.NMC also states we shouldn’t be doing things we aren’t competent in! So she does need to raise it and hopefully they will listen to her.If they don’t listen, then she needs to go higher, maybe RCN and get someone else involved to help support her.Hope that helps :) "
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Michelle Bolt
Michelle Bolt
4 months agoDoes anybody know if a newly qualified band 5 of 6 months should be in charge of a ward. If ... read more
Does anybody know if a newly qualified band 5 of 6 months should be in charge of a ward. If yes should they be paid a band 6 Thanks
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Are you speaking from experience here Michelle? It seems very soon. Pay is determined by Band and years exp. Usually progression so soon to Band 6, without specialising or further training, would be u... read more
Are you speaking from experience here Michelle? It seems very soon. Pay is determined by Band and years exp. Usually progression so soon to Band 6, without specialising or further training, would be unusual. I'd be interested to know if you have been put in charge of a ward?
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