If you are a band 5 nurse, you can now access the online portal to begin the application for review of your role.
You should receive an email from your employer soon, if you have not already received it, explaining the process and providing a link to access the online portal.
The review is open to band 5 nurses across all fields of practice, specialties and settings, and there is no qualifying period for eligibility, including those working in bank roles.
Advice and guidance to help you make your application are available. We have also developed resources to help you complete the application, including a version of the questionnaire with example answers and themes you should consider when drafting your answers.
If successful in your application, you will receive backdated pay from when it is agreed that you have been working beyond your job description, but no further back than 1 April 2023.
The review of band 5 nursing roles was one of the recommendations of the review of Agenda for Change, which itself was part of the 2023-24 pay deal for NHS Scotland staff. It is one of the three recommendations from the Agenda for Change review secured by the RCN as part of NHS Scotland pay negotiations.
Commenting, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Executive Director, said:
“The review is intended to recognise the job you are required to do today as a band 5 nurse.
“Nursing roles have grown significantly since the establishment of the current Agenda for Change job evaluation scheme, and many of you have told us that you no longer feel your banding reflects the level of knowledge, responsibility, and clinical skills that as a band 5 nurse you are required to demonstrate daily.
“If you are a band 5 nurse working in the NHS in Scotland, I would encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure your work is recognised through fair pay and banding."
We will be supporting members through the implementation process – look out for emails from us and information on our website.
If you are not a band 5 nurse, but you feel your role has changed significantly since you started, you can ask for a job evaluation and we’ll support you – find out more.
Please also remember to make sure your details on MyRCN are up to date so you can continue to receive updates from us.
