Patricia Marquis, executive director for RCN England, has previously described the wage offer as ‘derisory' and ‘one of the lowest awards this year' with nurses stuck at the bottom of NHS pay scales.

GMB workers have, meanwhile, rejected the Government's 2025/26 pay offer and called for an urgent meeting with health and social care secretary Wes Streeting to discuss pay and other issues of significant importance to GMB members working across the NHS and ambulance services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘After receiving two above inflation pay rises from this Government - new full-time nurses will earn £30,000 in basic pay for the first time this year - we urge RCN members to accept this year's pay rise.

‘We hugely value the work of nurses, and through our 10-Year Health Plan, we are rebuilding the NHS for the benefit of patients and staff, and ensuring nursing remains an attractive career choice. 

‘This Government is clear we can't move any further on headline pay but will work with the RCN to improve their major concerns, including pay structure reform, concerns on career progression and wider working conditions.'

News of the nursing vote comes as the NHS seeks to minimise the impact of a five-day strike by resident doctors which is due to end on Wednesday.

Trusts reported cancelled appointments, including operations, after the industrial action was launched on Friday.

There were reports that thousands fewer doctors joined picket lines than in the last major dispute, however.