Not all band 5 nurses are seeking promotion – some embrace the benefits of these roles, such as more patient contact, flexible working and a range of opportunities

Band 5 nursing roles usually involve direct clinical practice and patient contact – often key reasons why some nurses choose to remain at this level. ‘Some of the opportunities at band 6 and above can start to take you away from that,’ says University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust deputy director of nursing workforce Carolyn Pitt.