Registering to work with the British Nursing Association (BNA) Nursing Agency is straightforward and completely free. Here's the process: 

• Complete our online application form  

• Submit your documents (NMC PIN, two references, DBS certificate, proof of identity and address, immunisation records, professional indemnity insurance, and right to work documentation) 

• Pass our compliance checks and interview 

• Start booking shifts immediately via Staffshift 

Yes. BNA welcomes international nurses with valid NMC registration and UK work authorisation.  

You'll need: 

• NMC registration (including Test of Competence and English language qualification if required)  

• A valid visa (Health and Care Worker visa, Skilled Worker visa, or Graduate visa) 

• Standard compliance documents (enhanced DBS, references, mandatory training, and professional indemnity insurance).  

BNA provides guidance, orientation training, and ongoing professional development.  

Yes. BNA is fully approved on major NHS Framework Agreements including: 

• NHS Workforce Alliance (RM6281)  

• HealthTrust Europe (HTE)  

• Crown Commercial Service (CCS).  

We meet NHS standards for quality, compliance, and value, and are registered with the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate. 

Staffshift is BNA's 24/7 shift booking app that lets you browse and book nursing shifts instantly from your mobile. Key features include: 

• Real-time shift availability across multiple locations  

• One-tap booking with instant confirmation 

• Digital timesheet submission and earnings tracking 

• Compliance document management 

• Personalised shift notifications.  

Once registered with BNA, download Staffshift from the App Store or Google Play, log in with your credentials, and start booking shifts immediately. Download Staffshift now. 

You can start within 7 working days with complete documentation: 

• Fast-track (3-5 days): Current enhanced DBS (under 12 months old), up-to-date training, quick references 

• Standard (5-7 days): New DBS checks required 

• Longer (2-3 weeks): International nurses or qualification verification 

Speed up registration by preparing documents, ensuring current NMC registration, contacting referees in advance, and maintaining current training. 

BNA offers comprehensive nursing positions across the UK. This includes: 

• Registered nurses (adult, mental health, learning disability, children's, theatre, critical care, emergency, community, specialist) 

• Advanced practice roles (ANPs, nurse prescribers, clinical nurse specialists) 

• Support roles (HCAs, care assistants, ODPs) 

• Education settings (school nurses, SEND support),  

• Homecare (home nursing, live-in care, complex care).  

We work with NHS Trusts, private hospitals, care homes, GP surgeries, mental health units, schools, prisons, and community services. View vacancies or register for alerts. 

Yes. BNA operates throughout England, Wales, and Scotland: 

• All major cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff 

• Rural areas nationwide 

To find nursing jobs near you, you'll need to do the following:  

• Search vacancies by city, region, or postcode 

• Set up location alerts 

• Use Staffshift app to view nearby shifts with distance indicators 

Most nurses work within 5-10 miles of home. Search jobs. 

Yes, completely. You control: 

• When: Choose dates, times, days, nights - no minimum hours 

• Where: Select facilities, locations, travel distance 

• What: Specialisms, shift lengths, patient groups 

• How much: Full-time, part-time, or occasional shifts 

Once you accept a shift, you must honour that commitment. Perfect for parents, students, or nurses preferring specific schedules. 

Yes. BNA actively recruits Healthcare Assistants, Care Assistants, and Support Workers for: 

• Hospital wards, A&E, theatres, maternity, mental health 

• Care homes and homecare services 

Requirements: Care Certificate (or commitment to complete), enhanced DBS, two references, basic mandatory training, and right to work. 

New to care? BNA provides discounted Care Certificate training, mandatory healthcare assistant training, shadowing, and career progression support. 

BNA recruits across all nursing specialisms:  

• Critical care: ICU, HDU, CCU, NICU  

• Acute and emergency: A&E, urgent care, trauma, AMU 

• Surgical: Theatre, recovery, endoscopy 

• Medical: Cardiology, respiratory, oncology, renal 

• Mental health: Acute psychiatric, PICU, CAMHS, forensic 

• Community: District nursing, health visiting, school nursing, learning disabilities 

• Women's and children's: Maternity, neonatal, paediatrics  

• Elderly care: Homecare, live-in, respite, complex 

• Specialist areas: Stroke, diabetes, infection control  

Our consultants match your expertise with suitable positions.

BNA agency nurse rates for 2026: 

• Band 5 nurses: £500.52/shift*  

• Band 6 nurses: £578.28/shift* 

• Band 7+ specialists: £727.56/shift* 

• HCAs: £341.76/shift* 

Night shifts, weekends, and specialist areas command premium rates. Annual potential: £20,000-£35,000 part-time to £65,000-£90,000+ intensive schedules. View pay rates.  

* The rate shown may vary. 

Yes, significantly. Agency nurses can earn up to 30-60% more hourly than permanent NHS staff. 

• Agency nurses: Higher hourly rates with weekly pay 

• NHS nurses: Lower hourly rates but include pension contributions (worth significant value yearly), sick pay, paid annual leave, and structured progression 

Many nurses combine both approaches – working NHS part-time for pension security whilst doing agency shifts for additional income. 

NHS pay bands range from: 

• Band 2: £24,465 (healthcare support workers) 

• Band 3: £24,937-£26,598 (emergency care assistants and clinical support workers) 

• Band 4: £27,485-£30,162 (registered nurse associates, dental nurses, and theatre support workers) 

• Band 5: £31,049-£37,796 (registered nurses) 

• Band 6: £38,682-£46,580 (senior nurses) 

• Band 7: £47,810-£54,710 (specialists) 

• Band 8a+: £55,690+ (senior nurses/managers) 

Agency nurses typically earn higher hourly rates than NHS band equivalents in permanent roles. 

UK nurse salaries range from £29,970-£90,000+ depending on experience and employment type: 

• NHS Band 5: £31,049-£37,796 

• Agency nurses (full-time): £39,000-£80,000 

• London: 15-20% higher than national averages 

• Specialists (ICU, theatre, A&E): 10-40% premiums

BNA provides discounted mandatory Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF) training: 

• Mandatory: Safeguarding, infection control, health and safety, fire safety, moving and handling, basic life support, information governance, equality and diversity, conflict resolution, Mental Capacity Act 

• Role-specific: Medication management, clinical observations, catheter care, wound care, dementia awareness 

• Specialist: Advanced life support, paediatric life support, venepuncture, ECG interpretation, tracheostomy care 

Delivered via 24/7 e-learning and face-to-face sessions. 

The Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF) is the UK healthcare mandatory training standard developed by Skills for Health with NHS employers. 

Covers 10 core subjects: 

• Conflict resolution, data security, equality and diversity, fire safety, health and safety, infection control, moving and handling, Prevent, resuscitation/BLS, safeguarding 

Three levels: Awareness, core clinical, enhanced specialist 

CSTF training is recognised across all UK healthcare settings, enabling portability between employers without repeated training. 

BNA offers healthcare assistant courses and training in the following fields: 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) 

• Moving and Handling 

NMC revalidation is the mandatory three-yearly renewal process for all UK registered nurses and midwives. 

Requirements: 

• 450 Practice hours, 35 hours CPD, 5 written reflective accounts, 5 pieces practice-related feedback 

• Reflective discussion with another NMC registrant 

• Health and character declaration, professional indemnity, confirmation 

Submit 60 days before your revalidation date (every three years from initial registration). 

Yes. BNA provides comprehensive NMC revalidation support: 

• Automatic practice hours documentation (all shifts count toward 450-hour requirement) 

• Free access to 35+ hours CPD annually 

• Practice-related feedback facilitation 

• Reflective accounts guidance with templates 

• Dedicated revalidation coaching 

• Staffshift records all hours with downloadable timesheets 

Yes. BNA verifies: 

• Registration status: Confirms current registration, not lapsed or suspended 

• Registration type: RN (adult, mental health, learning disability, children's), midwife, SCPHN, nursing associate (HCPC) 

• Annotations: Prescribing qualifications (V100, V300), specialist practice qualifications 

• Ongoing monitoring: Regular status checks, expiry alerts, revalidation reminders 

We check the NMC Online Register using your PIN and verify your registration certificate. We track your expiry date and send reminders at 6, 3, and 1 month before expiry to help prevent lapsed registration. 

International registers: Can be verified, but UK NMC registration is required for UK nursing work.

If your NMC registration expires: 

• Immediate consequences: All nursing shifts cancelled immediately; cannot legally practice as registered nurse; may only work as Healthcare Assistant at HCA rates; practicing without registration is a criminal offence 

• Restoration process: NMC application with fee (currently approximately £143), processing time varies (2-4 weeks if lapsed under 3 years, longer if 3-5 years with possible return to practice course required, complex if over 5 years) 

• Financial impact: Lost nursing income, HCA rates only during lapse, restoration fees, potential training costs 

Set personal reminders 12 months before expiry and never wait until the last minute. Contact us immediately with registration concerns.

Yes. BNA provides comprehensive revalidation evidence: 

• Practice hours verification: Detailed timesheets, downloadable Staffshift records, confirmation letters, third-party verification 

• CPD evidence: Digital certificates, CPD logs with dates and hours, documented learning outcomes 

• Practice-related feedback facilitation 

• Confirmation support: Senior clinical staff who can act as confirmers 

• Professional indemnity certificates 

• Reflective discussion guidance 

Yes. Enhanced DBS with Barred List checks is mandatory. 

Current DBS (under 12 months old): Start working immediately after verification, join DBS Update Service (£16/year) 

DBS over 12 months old or missing: BNA processes new check free of charge in 2-4 weeks (express service 5-10 days for urgent cases) 

What it checks: Convictions, cautions, police intelligence, Adult and Children's Barred List status 

Minor historical offences don't automatically disqualify - each case assessed individually. International nurses may need overseas police certificates. 

Yes. Professional indemnity insurance is a mandatory NMC requirement since 2014 with minimum £6 million coverage. 

You must arrange your own professional indemnity insurance through: 

• RCN (Royal College of Nursing): Included with membership 

• NMDU (Nursing & Midwifery Defence Union): From approximately £30/year 

• MPS (Medical Protection Society): Various levels available 

• Other specialist providers: Compare coverage and costs 

What it covers: Clinical negligence claims, medication errors, documentation mistakes, breach of confidentiality, legal defence costs, NMC fitness to practice hearings. 

For revalidation: You must provide evidence of your indemnity arrangements and certificate for your portfolio. 

Without insurance: Personal financial liability for claims potentially exceeding £100,000, difficulty defending NMC allegations, potential loss of registration. 

BNA delivers Care Inspectorate and CQC-registered homecare services across England, Scotland and Wales, including: 

• Personal care: Bathing, dressing, continence care, mobility support 

• Medication management: Administration, prompting, monitoring 

• Companion care: Social engagement, reducing isolation 

• Domiciliary support: Housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping 

• Nursing care: Wound care, catheter/stoma care, PEG/NG tube medication, clinical observations, chronic disease management, palliative care 

• Specialist services: Dementia care, complex care, post-discharge care, respite care, live-in care, learning disability/mental health support 

Flexible 30-minute to 24-hour visits, available 7 days including bank holidays. 

Homecare costs vary by care type, location, and funding. 

Typical hourly rates in the UK: 

• Personal care: £18-28/hour (minimum 1 hour, higher in London/Southeast) 

• Nursing care: £28-45/hour (complex care and specialists at premium) 

• Live-in care: £220/day (24/7 presence) 

• Overnight care: £80 - 210/night (sleeping) or £120-260/night (waking) 

Example weekly costs: Light support (2x daily) £308/week, moderate (3x daily) £462/week, intensive (4x daily + overnight) £1,316/week 

Yes. BNA homecare services are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Care Inspectorate with a "Good" rating. 

Our CQC registration:

• Registration number: 1-101652927 

• Service: Arabella Health Staffing t/a BNA 

• Regulated activities: Personal care and treatment of disease/disorder/injury 

"Good" rating means: People are safe and protected, staff are well-trained, care is personalised and effective, people are treated with dignity, service is well-led.

Yes. BNA specialises in complex care, delivering advanced clinical support for serious health conditions at home. 

Conditions supported: 

• Neurological: Spinal cord injury, MND, MS, cerebral palsy, brain injury 

• Respiratory: Tracheostomy, ventilator support, CPAP/BiPAP, oxygen therapy 

• Gastroenterology: PEG/NG tube feeding, TPN, stoma care 

• Other: Continence management, complex wound care, chronic disease, palliative/end-of-life care 

Care packages: Hourly visits (1-4 hours), extended care (8-12 hour shifts), overnight nursing, 24-hour live-in nursing. Often qualifies for NHS Continuing Healthcare (fully funded). 

Yes. BNA has a dedicated school nursing and SEND support division supplying qualified professionals to UK educational institutions. 

Roles available: 

• School nurses: Qualified RNs providing health services, managing medications and care plans, supporting chronic conditions, first aid 

• SEND support staff: 1:1 assistants for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, personal care, behavioural support 

• Other education roles: Nursery nurses, early years care, wrap-around care, holiday club support 

School nurses require specific qualifications: 

Essential: 

• Current NMC registration (Registered Nurse in adult or children's nursing) 

• Enhanced DBS with Children's Barred List check (updated every 12 months minimum) 

• Paediatric training: paediatric first aid certification, paediatric BLS, children's health experience 

Desirable: 

• SCPHN (Specialist Community Public Health Nurse) school nursing pathway 

• Anaphylaxis management, epilepsy/seizure management, asthma and diabetes in children 

• Medication administration in schools, safeguarding children Level 3 

• SEND pupil support, autism/ADHD awareness 

BNA provides paediatric first aid, anaphylaxis training, safeguarding refreshers, and school nursing induction.

Yes. BNA provides SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) support staff to UK educational institutions. 

SEND roles: 

• 1:1 support assistants: Individual pupil support, personal care, learning support, behaviour management 

• General SEND support workers: Classroom assistance, inclusion support, small group work 

• Personal care assistants: Toileting, feeding, medication under supervision, mobility 

• Behaviour support: De-escalation, positive behaviour plans, crisis intervention 

Types of needs supported: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory impairments, medical needs (epilepsy, diabetes, catheter care, allergies, tube feeding), mental health 

BNA is an approved supplier on major NHS Framework Agreements including: 

• NHS Workforce Alliance Framework (RM6281): Clinical and Healthcare Staffing 

• HealthTrust Europe (HTE) Framework: Nursing and Healthcare Staffing Solutions 

These framework agreements enable NHS organisations across England, Wales, and Scotland to engage BNA's services. 

We supply NHS Trusts, hospitals, mental health facilities, and healthcare services throughout the UK with qualified agency nursing staff and healthcare assistants.

BNA performs rigorous compliance checks to ensure all staff meet NHS standards before placement: 

Mandatory verification: 

• Professional registration: Valid NMC PIN verification (nurses), HCPC registration (nursing associates, ODPs), appropriate professional registration for all clinical roles 

• Enhanced DBS/PVG: Current disclosure checks with Adult and Children's Barred List checks 

• Professional references: Two professional references verified and documented 

• Right to work: UK work authorisation confirmed and documented 

• Professional indemnity: Evidence of appropriate insurance coverage 

Training verification: 

• Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF): All mandatory training current and compliant 

• Specialist training: Role-specific certifications verified (BLS, moving and handling, safeguarding) 

Ongoing monitoring: 

• Regular registration status checks 

• Training expiry alerts and renewal tracking 

• Continuous compliance documentation 

All compliance records are maintained digitally and available for NHS audit requirements

BNA maintains quality through comprehensive vetting and monitoring: 

• Pre-placement: Rigorous recruitment with detailed interviews, qualification verification, reference validation, competency assessment against NHS standards 

• Ongoing management: Performance feedback from NHS facilities, low cancellation rates, continuous professional development, NMC revalidation support 

• Client support: Dedicated account managers for NHS partnerships, responsive service, performance monitoring 

BNA has maintained an excellent reputation with NHS Trusts since 1948 – here's what our clients say. 

Yes. BNA's dedicated consultants are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to support NHS staffing needs. 

Why 24/7 matters for NHS: 

• Emergency cover: Last-minute sickness or absence coverage 

• Night shift support: Booking and queries outside office hours 

• Weekend and bank holidays: Full service during peak NHS pressure periods 

• Winter pressures: Enhanced support during high-demand periods (November-March) 

Our consultants understand NHS operational pressures and respond quickly to ensure continuity of patient care.

Yes. BNA works with Managed Service Provider (MSP) frameworks that coordinate staffing for NHS Trusts and healthcare facilities. 

BNA's MSP approach: 

• Speed and specialisation: Pre-screened talent pool with technology-enabled submissions within hours, not days 

• Compliance excellence: Streamlined processes ensuring every candidate is fully vetted and ready to work from day one 

• Quality relationships: Strong partnerships with MSP account managers, proven track record for reliable placements 

• Real value delivery: Rapid response and quality staffing reduces time-to-fill and minimises NHS overtime costs 

BNA provides rapid, high-quality staffing solutions through MSP frameworks without compromising compliance or professionalism.