How do pay and career opportunities compare for nurses at band 5 and band 6? And how likely are nurses to progress to band 6 early on in their nursing careers? Nursing Standard analyses the pay implications at each band and workforce figures, including data for staff from ethnic minority backgrounds, plus what nurses say about moving up vs staying at band 5, and the difference in roles and responsibilities at each band. Experts advise on the skills you’ll need at band 6, what employers are looking for and how to know when it’s the right time to step up.