NHS nurses are striking for the first time in the 106 history of the Royal college of nursing (RCN).
The action is taking place for various reasons, such as lack of nursing staff and poor pay. Here's what we know about nursing in the UK.
The RCN estimates that the average annual salary of an NHS nurse is £33,384.
However, nurses are paid in different bands relating to their knowledge and experience.
The NHS pay bands range from Band 5, which is for newly qualified nurses, to Band 8 and 9, which is for people at the top of nursing, such as consultant nurses.
The NHS pay bands can be see here:
To work as a nurse, you need to complete a degree in nursing and need to register with the nursing and midwifery council.
Applications for full-time nursing courses are made through UCAS.
Entry requirements for nursing degree courses vary because each university sets its own entry criteria, but you are likely to need at least two (usually three) A-levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths and a science (usually biology or human biology).
Contact universities directly to find out whether qualifications equivalent to A-levels or GCSEs are acceptable.
Student nurses don't get paid, but do receive financial support such as student loans.
They work an average of 37.5 hours per week when on placement, meaning they would be unlikely to work hours in another job in order to make money.
The RCN voted to strike for the first time ever in November 2022, demanding better pay and voicing concerns about the safety of patients.
Nurses believe that the pay they receive doesn't currently correlate with the work that they put in and the experiences that they have to go through.
Added to this, extensive nursing vacancies have left staff stretched to the extent of working beyond the end of their shifts due to low numbers.
Stacey Solomon reveals exact date she's giving birth as she shows off bump
Shoppers rush to buy air fryer that can fit a whole chicken from Asda
I went shopping at Next & uncovered a cheeky secret & it’s the same in Primark
Ant McPartlin's ex-wife Lisa Armstrong sparks concern with cryptic post
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
