Take a demotion - band 7 to band 5 NHS nurse?

[MadamePlop]

I have posted on here before about my work situation - I don't think I can stay at my place of work anymore ☹️ due to a sutuation which is still ongoing. It is a pretty serious situation which has involved the police, a restraining order, deportation of a colleague and a lot of gas lighting and victim shaming/blaming from my hospital Trust.
I am at the point now where I feel like I can't stay there anymore- not because I don't like my job, but because I feel like I have lost my confidence there, and I no longer trust senior management. I feel stuck and I need to leave for my own sanity.
I am considering applying for a job in a GUM clinic, as they come under a different foundation trust and I have experience in gynae. It is also something that I have genuine interest in... only thing is that I would go from a band 7 to a band 5. The post is a training post so would be aiming for band 6 after competencies etc.
Does anyone have experience of going down 2 bands? Part of me wants to just pack nursing in but I am too scared to do that!

Going down 2 bands is a serious pay cut but it may not all be that bad if they can put you on the top of B5. You are prob on 2,900 atm net, the top of B5 take home pay will be £2000, so a 900.00 pay cut. Can you afford to do that? If after competencies you get to B6, you will be on 2400 approx..

I work part time - 22.5 hours and would be looking to work either 18.75 hours with agency work on top to boost wages, or working 28.5 hours (these hours would be done on 9.5 hour days which is what the GUM clinic do currently). I can afford it (for now anyway). I have previously gone down a band when I moved to my current area (band 6 to band 5) and worked back up and in to a 7 role over the course of 6 years. Not sure how I feel about down banding by 2 bands though...

If you're topping up with agency work then that should work. Also long term goals will naturally increase your salary in a few years time, good luck

You really need to think about your pension. Agency work won't contribute anything to your pension. Check with your union for advice.
Could you look for a job in another trust at the same band, or at least a 6?

Is it top band 7 to top band 5?
Ive just gone from a 7 Nurse prac at UTC at 30 hours to a 6 resp nurse at 24 hours.
im topping up with bank band 5 shifts so still paying into my nhs pension.
It’s the happiest I’ve been at work in years!

go for it! It’s a temp drop till you get training!

Agency doesn't pay into nhs pension but some types of bank shifts do as long as they are in house with the same employer. It probably won't make much difference for a short time. It is a bit of a minefield though. It is wise to check carefully because it is possible to buy back years as long as you follow the correct process.

NHS employees are partly contracted out of the state pension scheme so it is really worthwhile to check both forecasts earlier rather than later. My nhs pension is a lot less than I expected because I didn't get correct advice, so I try to encourage people to get the information in timely fashion.