When to apply for band 6

[RainbowRibena]

So I qualified 18 months ago and have worked on a surgical ward since. I have received praise by both my ward sister and senior nurse managers on a regular basis relating to my performance in work. I am about to start my mentorship (I absolutely love teaching!) and have also been active in introducing change on the ward (one of which was my own preceptorship project) . Anyway my band 8 mentioned in passing that there will be a band 6 position on another surgical ward being advertised in a few weeks and strongly suggested that I apply for it...my worry is, am I still too junior? If I am why would he suggest I apply? I don't know what to do! My long term plan is to progress and I definitely intend on staying surgical rather medical, I was just so surprised that he suggested it and don't feel as though it's something I could discuss with my colleagues so any insight is greatly appreciated... thanks

[osceteacher]

10 years ago I probably would have said yes, but in todays nursing I'd say no, you're not too Junior. We've had multiple Band 6's who were promoted within 18 months, they have struggled more than they thought they would but they now have they're now no longer treading water. I think that adjustment period was a bit tougher than if you had more experience.

However they are generally on the wards they work on so jumping in to a new team so that might be a different factor especially if one of their staff went for the band 6 and you got it over them there's always the risk of resentment, although I hope that would never be the case.

I don't think a band 8 would ever recommend a staff member to apply for a job if they thought they would fail, so in my opinion you should apply. The absolute worst thing is you don't get the job BUT you get the experience of a band 6 interview process which is definitely different to a band 5.

For the band 6 go find your director or associate director of nursing and talk to them about the role, maybe find one of the big surgical leads and talk to them, have an official discussion with your band 7 or 8 about what they expect. I've interviewed and been interviewed for band 6's and the absolute best thing you can do is show that you are actively preparing for the interview and not expecting to wing it. I gave a job to a band 5 over a senior band 5 MOSTLY (Not only) because the senior one's answer to how you prepared for the interview was I looked at google what a band 6 job would entail whereas the other one had seen everyone under the sun.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

I would agree with everything Osceteacher said. My personal opinion is 18 months is not long enough but that is probably a bit old fashioned nowadays and time are changing. Also it is "horses for courses."

A down side worth thinking about is you only have a short period in surgical, do you want to spend your career there? If later you decide you want some medical experience or other speciality you are a bit stuck. It is harder to drop to a Band 5 when you are a Band 6 - not impossible but harder.

Worst thing that can happen is you gain some interview experience.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[osceteacher]

I hate the fact I can't edit my post after a certain time, the grammar in my original one disgusts me.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I hate the fact I can't edit my post after a certain time, the grammar in my original one disgusts me.

If you go to the Help Office with a new edited version the Admin staff will be more than happy to make any edits. Also pop a link to the post that you want editing :)