Band 6 nursing interview: what should you expect?

Nurses applying for band 6 roles must demonstrate a good understanding of their clinical area, as well as their ability to lead and manage people and projects.

Band 6 nursing roles include senior staff nurse, deputy ward manager, nurse specialist, consultant nurse and health visitor.

Typically, the move to band 6 will mean taking on a level of management responsibility, ward responsibility and/or autonomy in decision-making.

‘The move from band 5 to 6 can be a tricky one because it is a significant step up, so it helps to seize opportunities in your current role,’ says RCN careers coach Julie Watkins.

While you need to demonstrate clinical skills and solid qualifications and experience, at band 6 level the interviewers will want to see that you can lead, inspire and motivate teams.

‘I would be looking for someone who has a good understanding of their clinical area, but who can also demonstrate the ability to lead people,’ says Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief nurse Jo Haworth.

The type of questions you will be asked will vary, but areas typically include clinical knowledge, safety, values, leadership and conflict management.

This is an abridged version of the article Band 6 nursing interview: what questions should you expect? which was first published in Nursing Standard. Read the full article to learn more about how to prepare for a band 6 interview, some of the most common interview questions and how to answer these, how to overcome interview nerves and whether you should ask for feedback if you don’t get the job.

Read more careers articles on Nursing Standard