The Royal College of Nursing has called for significant refinements to the Agenda for Change draft profiles for nursing bands 7 to 9.
Emphasising the need for greater differentiation between each band, the RCN argues that the crucial role of reflective practice in nursing leadership must be included in these profiles.
The RCN has responded to a consultation led by the NHS Staff Council Job Evaluation Group, advocating for amendments to better reflect the diverse responsibilities, skills, and experiential learning that nurses bring to their roles. They propose that the draft profiles should be adjusted to ensure the recognition of clinical expertise and the evolving nature of nursing roles.
Nursing profiles are pivotal in determining which Agenda for Change pay band NHS nursing staff fall under, directly influencing their pay. The RCN asserted that nurses at these levels, including ward managers and clinical nurse specialists, possess significant on-the-job experience that enables them to develop and deliver advanced clinical skills autonomously.
Moreover, the RCN has highlighted that ongoing reflective practice and continuous evidence-based learning or research are not adequately valued in the updated profiles for these bands. Reflective practice is essential for the growing autonomy and responsibility of nursing leaders, and the RCN insists it should be prominently featured in the new profiles.
The RCN stressed the necessity for a comprehensive review of the full suite of updated profiles, ensuring that each new profile clearly reflects the increased autonomy and responsibility associated with each band. The NHS Employers Job Evaluation Group continues to review and amend the profiles based on responses and evidence submitted during the consultation.
Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, commented:
"The new draft nursing profiles don’t assign enough value to clinical expertise from working in specialities and specialist teams or within wards.
"Agenda for Change is now 20 years old and no longer reflects modern nursing and what’s expected of nursing staff in each pay band. Nursing is now a degree-educated, highly skilled, safety-critical role.
"This profile review is a unique opportunity to ensure that nursing staff are not only correctly rewarded, but that the profession attracts a new generation of nurses with the right skills to deliver the level of care required.
"The UK government must ensure every nursing professional is in the right band, so that every staff member is paid fairly and can afford to keep working in the NHS. This should be in addition to a fully funded above-inflation pay rise for 2025/2026."
The RCN's call for refinement of the Agenda for Change draft profiles underscores the need for profiles that accurately reflect the expertise and evolving roles of nursing professionals. As the consultation process continues, the RCN stated that it remains committed to advocating for profiles that recognise the critical contributions of nurses in the healthcare system.
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