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.
344 live vacancies at this grade · 135 NHS employers · salary £32,073 - £39,043
344
Open Positions
£16k - £49k
Salary Range
135
NHS Trusts
199
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 344 live band 5 nurse vacancies across 135 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 £16,036 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, Southampton, Exeter, Bristol, and Birmingham. 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, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Grampian, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Review each advert for the person specification, application method, and whether the post closes early after enough applications.
Band 5 Nurse Jobs by City
Browse band 5 nurse jobs in the UK's biggest NHS hubs.
Where Band 5 Nurse Roles Are Hiring
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 5 Nurse roles
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Top NHS Employers
- NHS Professionals Limited16 jobs
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust12 jobs
- NHS Grampian11 jobs
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde10 jobs
- Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust10 jobs
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust6 jobs
- NHS Lanarkshire6 jobs
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust6 jobs