Classes of nurses in UK???

Mike RGN · Jul 11, 2004

I have seen jobs listed for different grades of nurses in the UK. Could someone please explain this to me and tell me what grade a Diploma RN from Canada would be?

The grade refers to the job and level of responsibilty that job holds, typically

A and B grade are Nursing Assitants, Nursing Auxillaries and Health care assitants.

C grade is a funny one, I have heard that unqualified and qualified nurses have this grade.

D grade is usually the entry level for nurses.

E grade for nurses who have completed some extended training and hold more responsibility

F grade are usually junior sisters

G grade are Ward Manager/ Department managers

H grade Specialist nurses

I Grades Unit managers.

This is a very brief overview as the will be many exceptions, however don't get overawed by it all, it all about to change.

see http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HumanResourcesAndTraining/ModernisingPay/AgendaForChange/fs/en

Briefly your qualification does not link directly to a grade,as all grades refer to the job not the person.

welshborg · Jul 11, 2004

hi dawn,

don't worry too much about the current grading it is under review at present called agenda for change. this will involve banding according to your responsibilities and what your actual job entails. it is designed to reward those nurses who work outside their original job description. as with anywhere else the U.K has a system of promotion the further up the ladder the higher the banding.

DawnE · Jul 11, 2004

Thanks for the replies.

F grade are usually junior sisters

What is a Junior sister?

Thanks

welshborg · Jul 11, 2004

a junior sister is usually second in command of the good ship ward. each ward usually has an array of d/e grade staff nurses, an f grade senior staff nurse/ junior sister. it depends which are trust you look at as to whether they r called senior staff nurses or junior sister. on a ward the boss is usually the g grade sister / ward manager. the f grade junior sister deputises for the boss in his/her absence.hope this helps let me know if u need any more info.