How to Prepare for a Band 6 Nurse Interview

You might be an experienced band 5 nurse looking to take the natural next step in your career progression.

Or you might be a newly qualified band 5 nurse who possesses the right experience and skills to jump ahead to a band 6 nursing position.

Wherever you are on the nursing career ladder, facing a band 6 nurse interview can be a nerve-wracking prospect.

That does not have to be the case if you are fully prepared, though.

The first step is to understand exactly meant by a ‘band 6 nurse’. Band 6 is the first level of senior nursing roles.

Job titles for this nursing band might include:

• Deputy Ward Manager
• Team Leader
• Charge Nurse
• Sister
• Lead Practitioner
• Senior Staff Nurse

Depending on the type of clinical or community setting you work in, moving into a band 6 nursing position requires an increased level of responsibility and leadership.

The salary range for a band 6 nurse will depend on the specifics of the role and your employer.

For example, band 6 nurses working in an NHS setting can generally expect to earn between £30,000 and £37,000 in 2021.

What Skills and Experience Are Needed in a Band 6 Role?

The thought of stepping into a senior nursing position can seem a world away from band 5 nursing roles.

However, your experience up to this point will greatly inform your career progression into band 6.

Experience

Generally, at least one year to 18 month’s experience as a band 5 nurse is expected before progression to band 6.

Ideally, you will have completed training courses to supplement your nursing knowledge and have demonstrated your willingness to push beyond the responsibilities of your current role.

Skills

Senior nursing roles require an enhanced skill set that is needed for band 5 nursing roles. Skills needed in a band 6 role include:

• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Financial responsibility and allocation
• Communication and empathy
• Training others
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary setting
• Collaborative working
• Focus under pressure
• Computer skills
• Clinical skills
• Support and teamwork
• Adaptability

How Will You Know That You Are Ready to Move to a Band 6 Nursing Role?

Band 5 nurses will generally know when they are ready to move to a more senior role. They will be comfortable adopting leadership roles.

They will be keen to take on more responsibilities and enthusiastic to learn more.

In essence, once a nurse has outgrown their band 5 roles, they are ready to progress to band 6.

What to Expect on a Band 6 Interview

Should you be invited to interview for a band 6 nursing role, you can usually expect the interview to take place before a pane.

The size and construct of the panel will vary depending on the role you are interviewing for and the employer.

The panel will ask you several questions to ascertain your experience, skills and suitability for a senior nurse role.

In addition to the questions, you may be asked to create a presentation on a topic set by the panel.

Band 6 Nurse Interview Presentation

The length of the presentation will generally range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the topic and what the panel wants you to demonstrate.

Always read the full explanation of what format the panel wants your presentation to take and the subject they want you to cover or the question they want you to answer.

The purpose of the presentation is to demonstrate:

• Your understanding of the healthcare environment and the challenges healthcare professionals face

• Your awareness of the current issues and challenges in healthcare

• Your communication skills

• Your ability to take a wider perspective to a topic

• Your nursing knowledge

The topic of your presentation will be relevant to the role you are interviewing for, so before you begin to prepare your presentation, think about why you have been asked to talk on this particular topic and how it fits with the band 6 nursing role and your employer.

For more on this, read How to Make a Great Presentation at Interview.

Band 6 Nurse Interview Questions

The exact questions you will be asked at your interview will depend on the band 6 role and the employer, but here are five questions with example answers to help you prepare:

1. Why Have You Applied for This Job?

The panel wants to know that you have done your research and are ready to progress to a band 6 position.

You know that you have the experience, skills, and drive to fulfill a band 6 role, so do not feel shy about selling yourself.

For example:

2. What Is Your Understanding of the Band 6 Role You Are Interviewing For?

The panel wants to know that you have not only read the job description but also understand what roles and responsibilities are involved.

Find a way to condense the role down into a sentence or two.

For example:

3. What Are the Six 'C's, and Why Do You Feel They Are Important?

This question demonstrates your knowledge and patient care skills.

The six 'C's are:

• Care
• Compassion
• Courage
• Communication
• Commitment
• Competence

These ensure that patients are effectively cared for and safe, are treated well and can build trust in their care providers.

Your answer should express this in your own words.

4. If One of Your Nursing Team Frequently Arrives Late to Their Shift, How Would You Address This?

The panel is asking you to demonstrate your managerial skills.

How will you supervise your team, and are you aware of the related staff policy?

For example:

5. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

Surprisingly, this is a question that can derail many up-to-that-point successful interviews. This is not your chance to ask about salary, holidays or sickness pay.

Instead, what the panel is asking here is for you to ask a question that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and what you could bring to it. What value could you add?

For example:

You can find more examples in Top 10 Nursing Interview Questions.

Should you be asked to interview for a band 6 nurse position, the level of preparation you undertake will be key to your success.

On the Day

On the day of the interview, arrive a little early but not so early that you are an inconvenience.

Take a copy of the job description with you, or have it available to view on your mobile phone so that you can refresh your memory before the interview begins.

Make sure you have had sufficient sleep, have eaten and that you are hydrated. Do not drink too much coffee before the interview as it can increase your feelings of nervousness.

Make sure your appearance is smart, whether you are wearing your own clothes or your work uniform.

Be attentive, polite and upbeat.

When answering questions, use the STAR formula. STAR stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

For a more detailed explanation, read How to Use the STAR Technique in Interviews.

Final Thoughts

Should you be invited to interview for a band 6 nursing role, you have already bounded over the first hurdle.

The panel believes that you have the potential to work as a senior nurse.

Give yourself the best chance possible to prove them right by fully prepared before your interview.

Good luck.