​Are you looking to make some extra income as an enrolled nurse, registered nurse, or midwife? Well, say hello to agency nursing! As an agency nurse, you have the freedom to choose when you’d like to work. You are in control of dictating how far you want to travel and which shifts best suit you and your growing skillset. Though the thought of travelling to different health facilities may seem daunting right now, NNA are here to support you every step of the way to ensure you thrive as an agency nurse. Becoming an agency nurse at this point of your nursing career is ideal for so many reasons, so stick around as we explore why.

Flexible Hours

The biggest difference between agency work and what you’ve probably gotten used to as a graduate nurse is the freedom in choosing your own shifts.

If you don’t want to work a Monday morning because you’re in desperate need of a sleep-in, you don’t have to. If you want to work a Friday night shift because you’re a night owl, really love the financial benefits and it works well with your spouse and kids then you can. And if Christmas is a day you cannot bear to be away from your family, you don’t have to be. As an agency nurse, you can request to work any shift you like!

NNA wants to support you in securing the shifts which you want to work and the easiest way to help NNA do this is by requesting your shifts and maintaining your availability on a regular basis. The allocations team at NNA will prioritise staff who have communicated what they can and cannot work so it’s a good idea to jump on board by using the following details, Private sector employees: please send your availability to privateroster@nursing-agency.com.auand Public sector employees: please text your availability to 0466 888 827. 

You Can Work Out Where Your Passion Really Is

At this point in your career, you may be asking yourself, what’s next? It may feel too early to specialise in a particular area because you haven’t had the chance to experience what else is out there - and that’s where agency nursing comes in. This kind of causal work allows you to rotate through different facilities, wards, and departments before you commit to permanent hours or postgraduate studies.

If you liked a particular ward and want to sink your teeth into more shifts there, NNA can help make this happen. Simply make contact with the allocations team and let them know your thoughts.

Opportunity to work across both private and public health sectors

In your first 12 months as a registered nurse or midwife, you probably worked in either the public or private sector across Metropolitan and regional New South Wales giving you little exposure to both systems. One of the huge advantages of being an agency nurse is that you are given the opportunity to try both. You can see for yourself the difference in what a patient and their family experience depending on which route they chose and how this impacts you as nursing staff. To be given this opportunity allows you to make an informed choice about which direction you want to take your nursing career in the future.

Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

You’ll be aware that in order to retain your nursing registration in Australia you need to complete a certain number of hours of continued professional development (CPD). NNA makes this process simple for you by partnering with the Australian Healthcare Academy (AHA).

AHA offers numerous, affordable courses such as CPR and Manual Handling for Healthcare Providers and the Introduction to Critical Care Nursing Course which enable you to upskill, increasing your chances of picking up more advanced agency nursing and midwifery shifts.

Competitive pay rates

One of the most talked-about aspects of agency nursing is the impressive pay. The rates per hour are likely higher than you currently receive and the penalties for working the night shift, weekends, afternoons, and public holidays are significant and certainly something to get excited about.

In summary, if you want the freedom to choose your shifts, receive very competitive pay rates, have access to interactive training materials and experience different wards and facilities then give NNA a call or apply through their website here. The staff at NNA look forward to welcoming you and finding ways to best support you and a career as an agency nurse.

Happy agency nursing.

Emma Smith

Registered Nurse