Nurses to Benefit from Boost to Graduate Pay and Job Progression
NHS nurses are set to receive a career boost as the government and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have agreed on a major package to properly recognize the vital work they do. Nursing and nurses are essential to leading and delivering the government's 10-Year Health Plan, and critical for patient safety, experience, and outcomes. However, the profession has been undervalued in the NHS for far too long.
Too many nurses are not being compensated appropriately for the work they do, and there is currently no universal preceptorship program in place for new graduate nurses. This government is committed to a constructive relationship with unions, and after engaging with all nursing unions, including UNISON, Unite, and GMB, and a dedicated period of intensive engagement with the RCN, the biggest nursing union, it has agreed on a series of measures that will transform the nursing profession and ensure that nurses get the pay and support they deserve.
These measures include:
- Prioritizing increasing graduate pay.
- Reviewing the roles and pay bands of every band 5 nurse.
- Establishing a single national nursing preceptorship to create a national framework to support newly qualified nurses.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, emphasized the importance of recognizing nurses' contributions. He stated that nurses deserve more recognition and fair compensation for their essential role in leading and delivering the 10-Year Plan for Health. Streeting expressed gratitude to the RCN for their constructive approach and highlighted the importance of working together for the benefit of patients.
The announcement is a significant leap forward for nursing staff's career progression, according to RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger. Many nurses are not being paid fairly and valued for their skills and responsibilities in patient care, often starting and finishing their careers on the same low pay band. This is the first time nursing has been prioritized in this manner, and the government has responded with important commitments to staff in the NHS in England.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, explained that these measures are a positive step for nurses. Prioritizing increased graduate pay recognizes the value and responsibility of nurses at the beginning of their careers, while a comprehensive review of Band 5 roles and bands will ensure their pay and job descriptions better reflect their work.
A new national nursing preceptorship will provide stronger support as nurses transition into practice, helping to build confidence, capability, and retention across the nursing workforce. This commitment demonstrates a clear focus on valuing nurses, supporting their professional development, and investing in a sustainable nursing workforce for the future.
The announcement comes ahead of discussions with health unions on improving the Agenda for Change pay structure, which the government has committed to funding following NHS Pay Review Body recommendations in 2024 and 2025. Backed by a funded mandate, unions and employers will agree changes to the Agenda for Change pay structure to benefit employees, with a focus on increasing pay for all graduates. The NHS Staff Council will decide the level of uplift.
For years, too many nurses have been working at a higher level without fair compensation. Nurses have the right to be paid for their work and to have their pay re-evaluated if they believe they are working at the wrong grade. However, the RCN has found it challenging for nursing staff to access this process, which is often drawn out and adversarial. Every band 5 nurse will now have their role reviewed by their employer to ensure their pay and job description align with their actual duties.
Additional funding will support the band 5 review process and any resulting salary uplifts, separate from the funding for the 2026/27 cost of living pay award and pay structure reform discussions. The government will also review evidence to determine if further action is needed to ensure fair pay for all nurses.
To address the issue of structured career support, the Chief Nursing Officer for England will lead efforts with unions, employers, and stakeholders to improve the quality and consistency of preceptorships across the country. Preceptorships are 1-2-1 support programs that provide newly qualified nurses with the best possible start to their careers.
Helga Pile, UNISON Head of Health, emphasized the importance of making nursing and healthcare roles more attractive as graduate professions. Better starting pay and earnings prospects are essential, and a comprehensive review of band 5 nursing roles is crucial to correcting underpayments that have accumulated as responsibilities and expertise have grown. A national preceptorship is long overdue to ensure nurses receive support during the critical early stages of their careers.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, welcomed the commitment to recognizing the value of the nursing workforce. GMB advocates for fair pay for hardworking staff and continues to campaign for workers' rights across the NHS. Steph Lawrence MBE, Chief Executive of The Queen's Institute of Community Nursing, expressed support for the news, hoping to contribute to the review of job descriptions and work with the RCN and government on community nursing preceptorship and development pathways.
Professor Greta Westwood CBE RN, Chief Executive Officer of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, praised the national commitment to ensuring high-quality preceptorship for every nurse. The foundation has long championed preceptorship as the foundation for a strong, fulfilling, and enduring nursing career. Their research highlights the importance of preceptorship in staff retention and the current variations in quality and access. Strengthening preceptorship nationally can build a more resilient and confident nursing workforce, underpinning the future sustainability of the health and care system.
Dean Royles, Interim Chief Executive for NHS Employers, welcomed the government's commitment to developing a national approach to preceptorship for newly qualified nurses. This approach will ensure they receive the necessary support during their first years in the nursing profession. Fair pay for nurses is also essential, as a thriving NHS workforce is crucial to building a health service fit for the future.
