Newly Qualified Nurse Jobs in the NHS
Band 5 is where most newly qualified nurses start. Compare NQN vacancies, preceptorship programmes, trusts hiring now, and what to expect in your first post.
360 live vacancies at this grade · 140 NHS employers · salary £32,073 - £39,043
360
Open Positions
£30k - £49k
Salary Range
140
NHS Trusts
165
New This Week
What to expect from Band 5 Nurse roles
Band 5 is where most newly qualified registered professionals start: nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, dietitians, and others. Posts involve autonomous clinical practice under supervision, with progression to Band 6 typically after 2-4 years. For nurse candidates, this usually means matching the advertised responsibilities to your evidence before applying: the same band can cover different service settings, rota patterns, and levels of supervision across NHS employers.
Job Clerk is currently tracking 360 live band 5 nurse vacancies across 140 NHS employers. Use this page to compare the broad market, then narrow into a city page when you need local salary expectations, employers, and closing-date pressure.
Recent salary data for band 5 nurse roles ranges from about £29,970 to £48,841 per year, depending on employer, setting, rota pattern, and high-cost area supplements.
Band expectations
- Professional registration with the relevant body (NMC, HCPC, GPhC)
- Degree-level qualification approved by your regulator
- Evidence of clinical competence from placements or supervised practice
- Readiness to manage an autonomous caseload under supervision
Role evidence to prepare
- Managing a patient caseload across a shift or clinic autonomously
- Escalating deteriorating patients using NEWS2 or equivalent
- Mentoring students and supervising junior staff on placement
- Leading or contributing to audit, QIP, or service improvement
Typical requirements
- Active NMC registration in the relevant field (adult, child, mental health, or learning disability)
- Specialist qualifications or training for Band 6+ roles
- Evidence of revalidation-ready CPD portfolio
- Mentorship or practice assessor qualification (for supervisory roles)
Hiring locations
Current band 5 nurse demand is visible in London, Torquay, Southampton, Leeds, and Plymouth. Location pages help you compare local trusts, travel expectations, and live job counts before applying.
Employer mix
Recent listings include employers such as NHS Professionals Limited, NHS Fife, Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Review each advert for the person specification, application method, and whether the post closes early after enough applications.
Band 5 Nurse Jobs by City
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Where Band 5 Nurse Roles Are Hiring
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Top NHS Employers
- NHS Professionals Limited16 jobs
- NHS Fife9 jobs
- Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust9 jobs
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust8 jobs
- Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust8 jobs
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust7 jobs
- NHS Lanarkshire7 jobs
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust6 jobs