How has the one percent pay rise impacted UK nurses?

Whether public or private, nursing is a challenging industry in which workers are expected to give their all, often under difficult circumstances. Given this, remuneration can often be a topic of heated discussion for nurses across the UK. This ongoing point of contention was bought to the fore by the unprecedented health emergency created by the Covid-19 pandemic, and of course, the role nurses played in combatting it.

Here, we will be breaking down the impact of the one percent pay rise nurses have received in the aftermath of the pandemic, and strategies for nurses to make the most of the opportunities for fair remuneration available to them. 

The case for a pay rise

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK with full force, the National Health Service, and particularly the nation’s nurses, were thrust into the limelight and celebrated as national heroes. Every Thursday, citizens across the nation came out onto their doorsteps to cheer, whistle, and applaud in a socially distanced display of gratitude to the healthcare workers who were working long hours, and endangering themselves, to treat critically ill Covid-19 patients. 

After such a gruelling year, there was a widespread feeling that the nation’s nurses had earned an increase in their salaries: August of 2020 saw numerous protests to demand exactly this, and the calls continued into 2021. Many hoped for a sizable jump to match the sacrifices made by nursing professionals during the health crisis. So, when the announcement came that nurses in fact would only see a one percent pay rise, its recipients were disappointed, to say the least. Many influential figures in the industry also voiced their displeasure, with Dame Donna Kinnair, the Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College for Nursing, calling the decision ‘pitiful and bitterly disappointing’. 

Where does the one percent pay rise leave nurses?

A one percent pay rise will have a minimal impact on the pay checks of most nurses, adding only £4-7 per week to the income of most band 5, 6, or 7 nurses. Against this backdrop, many of the nurses that we work with here at Michael Page Healthcare are looking for ways to supplement their income, whether through temp work for an agency, or by making a wholesale move into the private sector.  

Why agency work could help nurses get ahead

For many nurses who love the work they do at the NHS, but also want better pay packets and more control over their working patterns, agency work is becoming increasingly appealing. Moreover, with thousands of unfilled nursing NHS vacancies across the UK, trusts are leaning more and more heavily on agency staff to fill gaps. Nurses who are not registered with agencies will rarely hear about the volume of well-paid agency shifts available; indeed, many of the nurses we provide shifts to at Michael Page Healthcare have been struck by the degree of choice available to them once they decided to take on temp work. 

The other significant factor is the availability of specialist nursing positions. There is a need in the NHS not only for general nurses but for all types, putting those with relevant specialisms at a major advantage, as these roles are even tougher to fill at short notice. By taking on agency work for the NHS, nurses will not only pick up supplementary income, but also ensure that the one percent pay rise goes that little bit further across different income streams. 

The best of both worlds 

The disappointment of the pay rise has incentivised many nurses to pursue higher salaries through full time work in the private sector. But on the other hand, many of the nurses we help to find roles are choosing to blend direct NHS work with agency work. This is because they are proud to work for an institution like the NHS, and do not want to leave – especially while they can still contribute to their pension pots. By picking up temporary agency work, these nurses can continue the work that has earned them so much praise over the last 18 months, putting their skills to good use serving the nation through the NHS. Plus, their agency work will enable them to make new contacts, bring in additional income, and ultimately make the best of the one percent pay rise. 

At Michael Page Healthcare, we provide general and specialist nurses across the UK with both permanent and temporary work. We can connect you with private sector businesses, like private hospitals, primary care, community and mental health, as well as the NHS and charities. To have an introductory conversation with one of our expert consultants, get in touch.