Newly registered nurses start on Agenda for Change band 5, with progression to band 6 dependent on experience, training and support. However, progression to band 6 tends to be slower for nurses than for those in other healthcare professions, such as midwives and paramedics, Institute for Fiscal Studies research found. Nearly half of all registered nurses in the NHS in England remain at band 5 after several years, and career progression varies by location and specialty. We look at the keys to early transition from band 5 to band 6, including supportive trusts, and knowledge and skills development.