Agency Nursing In Australia

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Seeking advice from nurses in Australia about their experience as an agency nurse. Any tips for a newbie nurse in Oz like me.. thank you..

I just had my Permanent Residency granted and an AHPRA registered nurse. My experience is purely overseas and do not have Australian experience yet except my 3 months clinical placement. Been sending applications to public and private hospitals. While waiting for formal interviews, I am planning to join nursing agencies in Australia but i do not know which agency to join. I heard about Healthcare Australia, MEdiserve, Aktrapid but have no idea about how they handle their staffs and do I need to pay something when joining their organization? Am I going to pay for my own training like first aid or Basic Life Support? I prefer to work in the medical ward ward first because i think it is much easier. Then try to take up other areas later on once I am accustomed with the job and the routines in the ward.

I would like also to hear from other nurses who had been to nursing agencies about what to expect on the first day being an agency nurse. any tips or advice would be helpful. I heard that once you've been given a schedule, you will go to the ward, and expected to work immediately and would be treated just like a regular staff nurse in the ward. Any advice what to do on the first day in a completely new environment, how to deal with nurses (hope they are friendly and approachable). Thinking about the first day seems a bit scary... and these makes me sometimes a bit hesitant too.. Your tips and advice I hope would somehow give me the courage to go for it.. lol..

I just had my PR granted and an AHPRA registered nurse. My experience is purely overseas and do not have Australian experience yet except my 3 months clinical placement. Been sending applications to public and private hospitals. While waiting for formal interviews, I am planning to join nursing agencies in Australia but i do not know which agency to join. I heard about Healthcare Australia, MEdiserve, Aktrapid but have no idea about how they handle their staffs and do I need to pay something when joining their organization? Am I going to pay for my own training like first aid or BLS? I prefer to work in the medical ward ward first becasue i think it is much easier. Then try to take up other areas later on once I am accustomed with the job and the routines in the ward.

I would like also to hear from other nurses who had been to nursing agencies about what to expect on the first day being an agency nurse. any tips or advice would be helpful. I heard that once you've been given a schedule, you will go to the ward, and expected to work immediately and would be treated just like a regular staff nurse in the ward. Any advice what to do on the first day in a completely new environment, how to deal with nurses (hope they are friendly and approachable). Thinking about the first day seems a bit scary... and these makes me sometimes a bit hesitant too.. Your tips and advice I hope would somehow give me the courage to go for it.. lol..

Big big Thank you.. thank you!!

I just had my PR granted and an AHPRA registered nurse. My experience is purely overseas and do not have Australian experience yet except my 3 months clinical placement. Been sending applications to public and private hospitals. While waiting for formal interviews, I am planning to join nursing agencies in Australia but i do not know which agency to join. I heard about Healthcare Australia, MEdiserve, Aktrapid but have no idea about how they handle their staffs and do I need to pay something when joining their organization? Am I going to pay for my own training like first aid or BLS? I prefer to work in the medical ward ward first becasue i think it is much easier. Then try to take up other areas later on once I am accustomed with the job and the routines in the ward.

I would like also to hear from other nurses who had been to nursing agencies about what to expect on the first day being an agency nurse. any tips or advice would be helpful. I heard that once you've been given a schedule, you will go to the ward, and expected to work immediately and would be treated just like a regular staff nurse in the ward. Any advice what to do on the first day in a completely new environment, how to deal with nurses (hope they are friendly and approachable). Thinking about the first day seems a bit scary... and these makes me sometimes a bit hesitant too.. Your tips and advice I hope would somehow give me the courage to go for it.. lol..

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Specializes in Orthopaedics / Medical Oncology.

Hi! Welcome to Oz!

Agency nursing can be fun. I work for 2 nursing agencies, both Melbourne based but work more for one that covers my area. I also have a regular job. Anyway, with Agency nursing, you join for FREE. The only thing you need to pay for is a Federal Police check. Skills wise (as per training like BLS), they normally would provide a website for you to complete them on but if you've recently had one through a bridging course then just give them a copy of that.

Take your shifts as opportunities to get your foot in the door. Being a PR it should be easier for you to find permanent jobs once you can convince them that you're worth being added into the team (that's how I got my new job). That being said, shifts on agencies are on a casual basis and is up for grabs for everyone so you better respond quick if they call or send you a text message, you also have very little option in picking where you'll be assigned so be prepared. In my experience, the staff had been supportive since they knew I was agency, I pay it forward when working with agency staff myself. My best advice is just go with it. Your placements shouldn't be that different from the actual except if it will be in aged care. I would stay away from In Charge shifts for the time being until you are confident enough that you can manage being the site manager and sole clinical staff before taking that on.

All the best!

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WOW!!!! thanks a lot for that wonderful advice..I just hope hospitals are that supportive when they know we came from agencies.. Well, I'll gonna give a try..

Thank you!! Can you give options as to what agencies to join?. thanks a lot

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