Only around one in 10 nurses or nursing staff working in general practice are given a monetary bonus in addition to their salary, an exclusive survey has suggested.
A clear majority (86%) of general practice nursing staff responding to a Nursing in Practice survey said they did not receive a bonus.
And for those that do, for most respondents it seemed a bonus was linked to performance.
The findings have been presented in a new report published by Nursing in Practice – together with our sister title Management in Practice – earlier this month.
The General practice nurse pay: A salary survey of the profession 2025 report uncovers exclusive data and analysis on the state of general practice nursing pay and conditions.
Related Article: New report offers practice nurses with tips and advice on negotiating pay
It draws on survey results of more than 550 general practice nursing staff and also includes expert advice from nurses and practice managers.
Just 11% of respondents said they received a monetary bonus on top of their salary versus 86% who did not.
Of those that do, the top three factors linked to bonus awards were:
- linked to QOF performance (24%)
- Completion of vaccination targets (13%)
- Completion of NHS Heath Check targets (11%).
However, a total of 44% of respondents who received a bonus said it wasn’t linked to any criteria.
In these instances, it seems likely they would be receiving a perk such as a Christmas bonus, which not all employers offer but where it is provided it’s usually given to all staff regardless of role, the report suggested.
One GPN noted that bonuses can sometimes fall short of expectation and said: ‘I sometimes get a bonus at Christmas, which is added to pay and then taxed, so I end up with very little of what’s offered.’
Related Article: Only 5% of GPNs given enhanced maternity pay, finds report
What’s the value of the bonuses awarded?
Almost a third (30%) of those who received a bonus said it was less than 5% of their salary.
A small number (6%) said they received 6-10% and an even smaller percentage (2%) received 11-15% of their salary.
Around a quarter (26%) said they received an ‘agreed fixed amount’ instead of a salary percentage.
Some respondents said they received a bonus of as little as £20 to £50, while another said they were given a bonus equal to one weeks’ worth of their wage.
Related Article: Pay and conditions for nurses in general practice: What’s happening?
Separately, the report also found that on average, a full-time equivalent general practice nurse received a salary of just over £35,000.
It also suggested that as little as 5% of general practice nursing staff are given enhanced maternity pay.
To find out more about the state of general practice nursing pay and conditions, and how to negotiate your pay, read the full report here
