NHS Bands and Salaries Explained

What are the NHS bands for nurses? How much do nurses get paid in the UK? Find out more here and see how BNA can help you earn a competitive salary with NHS nursing and care jobs in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Secure Top Pay and Flexibility with BNA Nursing Agency   

Understanding the NHS band system can feel a bit overwhelming, but BNA is here to guide you through the system, paving the way for you to secure top pay and flexible shifts across the UK. 

NHS Bands Explained 

The NHS band system categorizes nursing roles based on skill level, responsibility, and experience. Each band translates to a specific duties and guidelines to pay scales, which ensure fair compensation for your expertise when working directly with the NHS. Importantly, we do not work with the salary range laid out by the NHS, so agency workers who accept these shifts with us get paid more per hour with BNA.  

NHS Bands definition and pay 

Understanding your band translates to understanding your worth. BNA helps you decode your band and seamlessly express interest in NHS shifts which suit your skills and experience via Staffshift.  

Below we have laid out the respective NHS bands, the associated roles and estimated pay scales provided by the NHS. Remember to use our pay-rate calculator to see what you could be earning as a BNA agency nurse. 

    • Entry-level roles like healthcare assistants, healthcare support workers, and administrative assistants.

    • Focus on providing basic care and support, assisting nursing staff, and administrative tasks.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £22,403 - £24,194 (as of April 2023).

    • More advanced support roles like health care assistants with specialised skills, ward clerks, and medical secretaries.

    • Increased responsibility for patient care, data entry, and administrative support.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £24,194 - £26,351 (as of April 2023).

    • Qualified nurses and midwives at the start of their careers.

    • Responsible for direct patient care, medication administration, and basic treatment procedures.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £28,407 - £30,639 (as of April 2023).

    • Experienced nurses and midwives with several years of practice.

    • Increased autonomy and leadership in patient care, supervising junior staff, and managing complex cases.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £30,639 - £32,934 (as of April 2023).

    • Senior nurses and midwives with specialized skills or leadership roles like ward sisters/charge nurses, community nurses, and mental health nurses.

    • Advanced clinical skills, supervision of junior staff, and management of complex patient care.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £35,392 - £42,618 (as of April 2023).

    • Highly experienced nurses and midwives in specialist roles like nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and senior ward managers.

    • Advanced clinical expertise, autonomous practice, and leadership in complex clinical areas.

    • Agenda for Change Salary range: £42,618 - £54,011 (as of April 2023).

Agenda For Change

This national pay agreement governs NHS salaries and sets transparent pay progression within each band. BNA adheres to the intricacies of Agenda for Change, ensuring you reap its full benefits, and enjoy a fruitful agency career with us.  

Nursing Pay Rates: Use our Salary Calculator Now 

Gone are the days of salary guesswork! BNA's interactive salary calculator helps you pinpoint your earning potential based on your NHS band, the location of your preferred assignments, and experience. Find out how much you could be earning when you register to work with us and empower yourself with knowledge! 

Remember that when you register to work with us, you will gain access to our Staffshift platform, which allows you to browse available NHS shifts, offering you guidance on the hourly rate on offer per shift, so get started with your registration, and look at the available shifts with us. 

NHS Jobs 

BNA provides access to a plethora of NHS job opportunities across the UK. Find your perfect fit, whether it's a bustling city hospital or a serene rural clinic. We cater to all preferences and specialisations.  

A core benefit of registering to work with us is that BNA has regular, ongoing shift opportunities within NHS trusts across the United Kingdom, giving you the opportunity to pick up ongoing shifts, giving you peace of mind and stable earning 

Benefits of Accepting Agency NHS Shifts with BNA Nursing Agency

  • Unparalleled Flexibility: Choose shifts that suit your lifestyle and workload, from short bursts to long-term contracts. 

  • Competitive Pay: Earn top rates as you progress through the NHS bands, boosted by agency negotiations and more, allowing you to earn either the NHS prescribed rate, or more. 

  • Continuous Support: BNA is your dedicated advocate, providing twenty-four-hour support and career guidance every step of the way. 

  • Extensive Training: Upskill and refine your expertise with access to a comprehensive library of professional development resources and training solutions

How Can the British Nursing Association Help You? 

BNA is more than just an agency; we're your advocate and career partner. We offer: 

  • Expert career guidance: Our experienced team helps you chart your ideal career path within the NHS. The Staffshift Compliance Passport gives clear guidance on means to upskill and potentially earn more per shift. 

  • Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow nurses and build your professional network across the UK. 

  • Mentorship programs: Gain valuable insights and guidance from seasoned nursing professionals, and our clinical facilitators. 

Ready to Conquer the NHS Band System with BNA? 

Sign up with BNA today and unlock the door to rewarding NHS nursing shift opportunities, lucrative pay, and a world of career possibilities. Let's navigate the NHS bands together and make your nursing journey extraordinary.