NHS is one of the best jobs for nurses in the UK. You get a competitive salary based on a system called the Agenda for Change which gives you a pay band for your specific job role based on your level of experience and the responsibilities you take on. For example, newly qualified nurses – who’ve registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) start at Band 5 and currently earn £24,907 a year. There are other benefits too.
The NHS pay takes into account your nursing experience and pay increases are linked to the number of years you have worked in the NHS. The average nursing salary is between £33,000 and £35,000 a year. As an NHS employee, you’ll enjoy one of the most generous pension schemes in England.
You’ll also be entitled to:
- a standard working week of 37.5 hours.
- 27 days of holiday per year, plus eight general and public holidays. This increases to 33 days of holiday after ten years of service.
- extra pay if you work overtime, out-of-hours or shifts.
- a yearly review to support your career goals and help you to progress.
- occupational health services to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
- time off to study for sponsored courses.
You’ll be employed by an NHS trust that looks after the area of England you work in, or the specific area of healthcare you work in. The trust you work for may offer extra benefits such as cycle to work schemes and support with childcare.