2min read
Having a sense of stability is more important than ever to so many nurses and midwives. Have you had the itch to travel, but pushed those plans aside due to thinking you can’t do contract nursing while permanent? The good news is you can have your cake and eat it too – adventure, freedom and stability.
Here are the top questions we get from nurses and midwives who are ready to join the agency life, without losing their perm role.
Do I need to resign?
Absolutely not! Consider going onto the casual pool at your local hospital and picking up work in between contracts when you want to be home. This is the best way to make agency nursing stress free and still get an income when you need some time off the road.
Otherwise, leave without pay or annual leave might be the best choice if you are nervous about the first contract and want to dip your toes in the water, so to speak. If you can secure at least 4- 6 weeks off work then that is ideal to secure a contract and ensure your travel costs are fully covered. If you can get even longer – even better. This allows you to do contract nursing while permanent—a win/win situation! Before booking leave dates, we encourage you to speak to us about the best time of the year to ensure that it isn’t in an off-peak time of the year.
There are a small handful of facilities across the country that may not be able to employ you as agency staff if you are already working for the same state health department, but Affinity is a national provider so there is always somewhere exciting to go!
Is there enough work?
Demand for agency nurses/midwives is high across the board in all states. But with the popularity of the travel nurse lifestyle and the number of agencies since COVID has competition at an all time high now. This means having your own Recruiter is as valuable to you as ever for best advice on job options and working within the market to maximise your employment outcomes. We have the best team who can advise you on the best times of year to plan breaks in shut-down periods for theatre and when new grads start.
Get that connection with your recruiter and use them as an advisory!
They love to share their industry and market wisdom. Nurses/midwives who work with the market instead of against generally have the most stress-free and easier time securing contracts.
What if I do agency full time?
It’s natural to be worried about resigning and the perceived uncertainty that follows. If you do resign, we will always work extremely hard to secure as much work for you as you desire. And if we don’t think we can provide you with the security of a full-time income via contract work, we will be honest. The market works in cyclical patterns, so if you are in a clinical area that ebbs and flows, you will know when signing up if we recommend a casual job for income security!
Our team will always give you a realistic picture of demand and the areas where you will most often find consistent work.
Ready to try contract nursing while permanent? Whatever your goals, we are here to help – get in touch with us today!
