NHS nurses across England are set to receive a significant career boost following a landmark agreement between the UK government and the Royal College of Nursing. The comprehensive package aims to properly recognise the vital contribution nurses make to patient care and to the government’s 10‑Year Health Plan for England.
A central pillar of the agreement is the prioritisation of graduate nurse pay. Ministers have asked the NHS Staff Council to place graduate salaries at the forefront of ongoing pay structure reforms, ensuring they remain competitive within the wider labour market and reflect the responsibility of the profession.
One of the most transformative aspects is the commitment to review the role and pay band of every Band 5 nurse in England. The initiative aims to ensure that job descriptions accurately reflect the work nurses are carrying out – particularly important given widespread reports that many Band 5 nurses routinely work at higher levels without receiving appropriate pay. Additional national funding will be allocated to support this review and any resulting salary uplifts.
Preceptorships – structured one‑to‑one support programmes with experienced practitioners – have been shown to improve confidence, retention, capability, and career development. The national standard is expected to address long‑standing inconsistencies in the support graduate nurses receive.
The government has also committed to reviewing evidence collected during the Band 5 review to identify whether further action is required to ensure nurses are paid fairly for the work they do
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Nurses have been arguing that they deserve more recognition - and rightly so. They are essential for leading and delivering our 10 Year Health Plan, yet many nurses are not being fairly compensated for the work they do.
“That’s why this government is working constructively with the Royal College of Nursing to deliver a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work for nurses. I want to thank Nicola Ranger and her team for their constructive approach to talks - it’s clear that working together is in everyone’s interests, especially patients.
“I hope nurses feel heartened that this is a significant leap forward for their profession - and a sign of just how much the NHS and this government values them. Nurses were there for me when I had cancer - I want to be there for them.”
These reforms form part of a wider effort to strengthen the NHS workforce and recognise the essential work carried out by nurses every day. As the NHS faces increasing demand and workforce pressures, the new package represents a major shift in valuing and investing in the profession. With improved pay, structured early‑career support, and a full review of job roles and responsibilities, the agreement marks one of the most significant steps forward for nurses in a generation – offering clearer progression, fairer recognition, and renewed confidence across the profession.
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