Make agency nursing work for you
There are some simple tips to cash in on the benefits of agency work, and some pitfalls to avoid.
Naturally, our clients develop preferences with particular nurses. These members tend to get the good shifts in their preferred locations when they want them.
When you're on site with a client consider that you're also promoting yourself as well as representing our company. You don't have to do much. Following some simple guidelines will help you maximise your chances of getting the shifts you want.
Reliability
Nursing Unit Managers have alot on their plate. Covering a last minute cancellation is a serious drain on their resources and causes much angst.
Simply committing to shifts per your availablities goes a very long way.
..."its a far better policy to leave yourself unavailable"...
We have a policy of confirming in advance what shifts you are available for. If you're not sure, its a far better policy to leave yourself unavailable and ring us at the last moment if you change your mind. Remember that nurses are in short supply, so we can generally find you something at short notice.
New agency staff tend to make themselves available for all shifts which they are not sure about, then cancel them at the last minute. This is understandable. It means you know you have work if you you want it. You have complete freedom of choice. However, this policy rapidly results in nurses being refused by clients outright. Before long, the nurse finds that work starts to dry up, and at our end, we have shifts available, and we can't place you.
If you fancy Tuesday off depending on the weather, just tell us when we confirm your availabilities. We'll note it and keep you in mind.
Approach
Agency nurses can sometimes be treated differently to the rest of the team. How you deal with this issue makes all the difference.
Our advice is to always maintain a positive, friendly and professional attitude. Reinforce through your actions that you are there to help. The beauty of agency nursing is that you don't have to get involved in the politics. Leave that to us. If there are issues, we'll go in to bat for you and resolve the situation. If we can't, there are plenty of other clients who will appreciate you.
At the end of your shift, if you've lightened their load, and deal with people professionaly they'll soon regard you as valuable. That means more work for you, when you want it.
