Why choosing just one nursing agency can be a smart move
Are you thinking of working for a nursing agency? If so, sticking with one throughout your career can be beneficial.
With flexible hours and opportunities to develop your skills in new settings, working as an agency nurse can be an attractive career option. It's a particularly good choice if you're juggling your nursing job with other commitments, such as childcare or looking after elderly relatives.
As an agency nurse, there's nothing to stop you working for a number of agencies. However, before you start pinging your CV out to a of long list of recruiters, it's worth considering choosing just one company to work with on an exclusive basis. Here's why...
Continuity and a close relationship
By working with just one nursing agency, you'll get to know them and, more importantly, they'll get to know you. You can build a strong personal relationship with your recruitment consultant, so they will instantly know the sort of nursing work you're looking for, as well as your key specialist skills, availability and preferences.
Quality not quantity
Being on the books of multiple nursing agencies may mean you get offered more shifts. But will they be the right ones for you? If you're with just one agency, it will reduce the risk of you being offered shifts that don't suit you. That means better quality job offers and no need to waste valuable time taking calls or answering emails just to say 'no'.
Take control
When you're working for a nursing agency exclusively, it puts you in the driving seat. For a start you can choose an agency with a good reputation that's well placed to deliver excellent results. You can also make sure that they fully understand your career goals, share your values and are committed to keeping in contact with you to give you regular updates and feedback.
Cut down on the admin
As you could be regularly changing settings, agency nursing often involves more paperwork than a full-time nursing job. Working with just one agency means only having to do things once. They'll have all the information they need at their fingertips, including referees and DBS checks, which could streamline the placement process. They can also ensure that everything is kept up-to-date, taking the pressure off you and enabling you to focus on delivering excellent care in your various nursing roles.
In the end, it's your decision whether you choose to register with just one nursing agency or several. But remember, sometimes it pays to keep things simple.
We have written a selection of pieces around starting and navigating your nursing career, or to find your next role with Sanctuary Personnel, register today.
