How much does a nurse earn in the UK? NHS salary explained

NHS nurses made history by striking in December 2022.

The strike took place for many reasons including poor pay and a lack of nursing staff. Here is what we know about being a nurse.

What is a nurse's salary in the UK?

The average salary for a nurse is between £33,000 to £35,000.

However, nurses are paid in different bands which correlate to their knowledge and experience.

The NHS pay bands for nursing staff range from Band 5, which is for newly qualified nurses, to Band 8 and 9, which is for people at the top of nursing, such as consultant nurses.

As of July 2023, the lists the bands as:

• Band 5: £27,055-£32,934
• Band 6: £33,706-£40,588
• Band 7: £41,659-£47,672
• Band 8: £48,526-£91,787
• Band 9: £95,135-£109,475

How do I become an NHS nurse?

In order to become a nurse, you'll need to complete a nursing degree and register with the nursing and midwifery council.

Applications for full-time nursing courses are made through .

You can also apply for a nursing associate apprenticeship.

You can find an NHS apprenticeship

What qualifications do you need to become a nurse?

Each university decides it's own entry criteria for their nursing degrees.

However, you usually need two or three A-Levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3.

You'll also need supporting GCSEs including, English, maths, and a science, usually biology.

You should contact universities directly to find out what qualifications equivalent to A-Levels or GCSEs are acceptable.

Do you get paid while training to become a nurse?

Student nurses at university don't get paid but do receive financial support through student loans.

However, nursing degree apprentices do receive a salary and have their tuition costs paid for.

However, a registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA) does not require full-time study at university.

Trainees will need to secure a position as an RNDA with the employer organising placements as well as time for study.

Student and apprentice nurses work an average of 37.5 hours per week when on placement, meaning they would be unlikely to work hours in another job in order to make money.

Why are nurses striking?

The Royal College of Nursing voted to strike for the first time in their history in November 2022.

They demanded better pay and voiced concerns over the safety of patients.

On top of this, extensive nursing vacancies have meant that staff are stretched to working overtime due to low numbers.

In May 2023, most unions voted to accept the Government deal putting an end to the walkouts.