6 nursing trends we should expect to see in 2022

A nurse is sitting at a desk in a hospital talking to a doctor.

The healthcare industry is forever evolving, but with the conditions imposed by the pandemic, the industry has been forced to further progress.

In Australia, the healthcare sector saw its largest growth in the last five years, and we can only expect this to continue. We’ve put together 6 nursing trends that you can expect to see in 2022, based on the most recent data and insights from medical professionals.

We will see more career options available for nurses in the coming years

The nurses of today are expected to specialise and this is a big trend we will see grow. But as healthcare needs climb and become more complex the opportunity for nurses to specialise will continue to increase.

At First Choice Care, we provide great opportunities for nurses, offering shifts within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Emergency Department (ED), and Midwifery roles in the Ante/Post-Natal & Special Care Nursery. We also offer exciting remote & rural jobs for nurses with specialist qualifications, allowing you to work whilst also exploring beautiful parts of Australia’s North East.

As the use of technology continues to grow within healthcare, nurses will need to be more technologically skilled

As a result of the pandemic, the healthcare sector has become more reliant on technology than ever before. While there is no denying that technological advancements have improved patient care and supported nurses in the way they work, including just about every practice and process, we must realise that the nurses of today must be diverse. Nurses who are adept in technology are in high demand and we will see this rise.

Today, nurses use a wide array of technologically operated systems to increase efficiency. This includes Electronic Health Records to keep track of a patient’s health history. Computers and mobile phones are also used on shift to keep time, schedule staff, research, order medications, emails, and various other tasks. Nurses need to be able to adapt to the evolving environment around them and keep up to date with technology.

There will be a surprising growth in Non-Clinical Nursing Career roles

A surprising development in the nursing profession is the growing interest of nurses moving from clinical to non-clinical roles. As most nursing degrees have become more flexible, including advanced programs, many new graduated nurses who would have considered clinical practice previously are now looking at alternative avenues.

We will see a rise in fatigue/burnout awareness for nurses within the community

There is no doubt that society has become increasingly aware of nurse burnout and maybe you as a medical professional have learnt to accept that you need rest too.

Burnout and fatigue in the nursing profession is a growing problem, which is why many have turned to agency work to take control of their life and give themself more time with their family. Our nurses at First Choice Care have our full support and we will always do what we can to support our nurses and their lifestyle – no nurse is the same.

Online education programs will continue to increase in popularity

There are many benefits to online education, and while the original shift from in-person to online was challenging, as a result of the pandemic, it has now become a very popular way to learn. Particularly for those who are working, online education programs offer flexibility which is extremely convenient for agency nurses who want to balance their work and studies.

As the motivation for nurses to seek higher education increases, online nursing programs provide a way for nurses to gain a degree while maintaining their full-time income. This opens the door to higher education with no need to sacrifice shifts or family time.

Bilingual nurses will become more valued than ever

As the world has opened up again, post-COVID, Bilingualism is becoming an increasingly desirable skill for nurses to have to employers. Hospitals and medical facilities are actively employing bilingual nurses to better their care and improve health outcomes.

In Australia, Aboriginal-speaking nurses are extremely valued as we continue to focus on closing the gap.

Bilingual nurses play a crucial role in improving patient care and being able to communicate with patients, particularly around, consent, education, and information regarding their discharge.

We are a nursing agency that is taking progressive action and keeping up with the dramatic changes within the healthcare sector. Our nurses are the priority for us, and we will support you in whatever direction you want to take your nursing career.

We understand some profound changes are occurring, but you will never be alone when working with us! If you want more control and flexibility over your hours, apply with us today.

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Oops, Don’t Do That: Compliance & Credentialing Errors That Slow Down Your Start Date

By Leanna Clancy • April 1, 2025

So, you’ve nailed your application and interview—congrats! But before you can start picking up shifts as a casual nurse or healthcare worker, there’s one final (and very important) step: completing your compliance and credentialing requirements. Many applicants underestimate the time it takes to get their paperwork in order, and missing even one required document can delay your start date. To ensure a smooth onboarding process, here’s a checklist of the most common compliance mistakes and how to avoid them. Not Providing the Right References Your referees play a crucial role in verifying your experience and suitability for agency nursing. However, many applicants make the mistake of: Providing personal references instead of professional ones Listing references who haven’t supervised them in the last 12 months Forgetting to notify their referees that they’ll be contacted What You Need to Do: Submit 3 referees with their current phone number and email address Ensure referees have directly supervised you in the role you’re applying for within the last 12 months Contact your referees in advance and let them know they’ll receive an email or call from First Choice Care Missing Critical Proof of Experience If you’re applying as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) or Registered Nurse (RN) student, you’ll need to prove your recent clinical experience. A common mistake is not providing the right documents or thinking placements alone will count. What You Need to Submit: 2 x recent ANSAT reports or University Transcript (for EN/RN students only) 2 x recent payslips (from the same role you’re applying for—important for verifying recent experience!) Forgetting to Upload Key Qualifications Many applications stall because nurses and healthcare workers forget to upload their essential qualifications. Make sure you provide: Copy of your relevant certificates (Postgraduate Certificate, Bachelor, Diploma) Current AHPRA Registration (For nurses only—check your renewal date!) Not Completing Background Checks Your police clearance and working permits are non-negotiable for agency roles. A common mistake is not having the correct up to date documents or having the documents ready to go. What You Need to Submit: Certified Copy of a Current National Police Clearance (Dated within the last 6 months & clear of disclosable outcomes. Current Blue Card with Yellow Card Exemption (Required for Disability Support Workers only) Working with Children’s Permit (If applicable to your role) Proof of Work Rights in Australia (Passport, Australian birth certificate, or Confirmation of Enrolment for student visa holders) Not Meeting ID Requirements Not providing the correct identification and clear headshot is a common roadblock in onboarding. You need to provide at least 100 points of ID, such as: Passport (70 points) Australian Driver’s Licence (40 points) Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate (25 points) What You Need: A clear headshot from the shoulders up for your ID badge. Think passport photo, not selfie. Not Submitting Immunisation & Health Clearance Records You’ll need documentation proving immunity to: Hepatitis B (Serology results with titre level OR record of 3 completed vaccinations) COVID-19 (Evidence of vaccinations required) Hepatitis A (If required for your role) Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) (Serology results OR record of 2 completed vaccinations) Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DTP) (Vaccination within the last 10 years) Varicella (Chickenpox) (Serology results OR record of 2 completed vaccinations) Fluvax (Yearly dose—mandatory for Aged Care, Community, and Disability roles, highly regarded for Acute nurses) Tuberculosis Clearance (BCG, Mantoux results <5 OR negative, QuantiFERON result required if applicable) Relevant certificates required: First Aid Certification (Must be completed within the last 3 years) Don’t Let Paperwork Hold You Back! Completing compliance might seem overwhelming, but getting it right the first time will speed up your onboarding and help you start working faster. Triple-check that all required documents are submitted in full Contact your referees in advance to avoid delays Make sure your police check, AHPRA registration, and immunisations are up to date Respond promptly to emails requesting additional documents Tip: Keep a digital folder with all your credentials handy, so you can upload them quickly when applying for roles. Conclusion Completing your compliance and credentialing requirements correctly is an important step in getting started with First Choice Care quickly. Review your compliance and credentialing documentation and match it to this list to ensure you're getting it right the first time. Then you'll be ready to start picking up shifts and enjoying the flexibility that agency nursing offers. Ready to join First Choice Care, Australia’s most supportive nursing agency? Check out our current roles or register your interest here .

Nurse of the Month March 2025 - Aisling

By Matthew Power • March 20, 2025

Introducing our nurse of the month for March 2025 – Aisling! Congratulations, you’ve been working hard to deliver exceptional care to your patients. We’re really excited to present you with this reward. If you want to learn more about Aisling’s time with First Choice Care, check out her interview below. What do you like most about First Choice Care? I love working for First Choice Care as they are a great team. From signing up to providing full-time hours they are always helpful, supportive and understanding. Why did you want to be a nurse? My Dad was my inspiration to become a nurse, seeing him in hospital and his positive outlook on life no matter what cards he was dealt made me want to be there to care for people, to bring them some sort of normality in a very abnormal setting. Every day is worth going to work for when you can see patients making progress or be there to comfort those who are in their final days along with their families. Being an advocate for patients and ensuring they get the care they deserve is what is most important to me. What has been the highlight of working with First Choice Care? First Choice Care have given me the opportunity to gain huge experience. I have the opportunity to work in different facilities and in different specialties learning something new in each one. Would you recommend First Choice Care to other nurses and why? I already have! First Choice Care will always do their best by their nurses; you get to speak to the same people and you're not just a number with a space to fill. The allocations team really are amazing at what they do!

Oops, Don’t Do That: Common Mistakes in Your Nursing Agency Application

By Leanna Clancy • March 5, 2025

Are you ready to start working as a casual nurse with a leading nursing agency like First Choice Care? That's a great choice! Agency nursing offers unmatched flexibility, variety, and control over your shifts. But, when applying many nurses unknowingly make small mistakes that can cost them an interview. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of the most common (and easily avoidable!) mistakes nurses make when applying for casual work. Typos & Incorrect Contact Details Imagine this: You’ve submitted your application, your experience looks great, but when the recruiter tries calling you calling... the phone number doesn’t work. Or worse, your email address is missing a letter, and you miss that interview invite. Fortunately, these are easy to fix. Common mistakes: Incorrect phone number or email address Not checking voicemails or unknown numbers Emails from the agency going to your spam folder Double-check your contact details before hitting submit. A small typo in your phone number or email can mean missing out on an interview. Make sure your voicemail is set up too and remember to check them. Not Meeting the Minimum Clinical Experience Requirement Unlike graduate programs or permanent hospital roles, casual nursing jobs require applicants to have a minimum amount of clinical experience. This is to ensure that agency nurses can step into different healthcare settings with minimal supervision. Common misconceptions: Thinking that newly graduated nurses can apply without any post-grad experience Assuming that clinical placements during university count toward the required hours Forgetting to clearly list your experience on your CV First Choice Care typically requires nurses to have a minimum of 12 months of recent clinical experience in their specialty (this can vary based on role and location). Before applying, check that you meet the minimum experience requirement listed in the job ad, this experience is clearly stated in your CV and you're able to provide evidence of this experience. If you’re unsure, reach out to the First Choice Care recruitment team! Sending a CV That’s Too Long (or Too Short) Your CV should highlight your nursing experience, skills, and qualifications clearly and concisely—but many applicants go wrong here: Too much detail: Listing every duty from every job you’ve ever had can overwhelm recruiters. Too little detail: A bare-bones CV that just lists job titles without responsibilities or specialties may not stand out. Ideal CV length: 1-2 pages, with clear sections on qualifications, clinical experience, and key skills. Bonus Tip: Tailor your CV for agency work by including: Years of experience in each role (e.g., “XXX hours in an acute ward”) Range of settings you’ve worked in (e.g., hospitals, aged care, community) Specialised skills (e.g., ICU, paediatrics, wound care) Using a Generic or Outdated Cover Letter Cover letters are not always required but if you do choose to send a cover letter keep it brief and personalised. Mention why you’re interested in agency nursing, your flexibility, and what you bring to the team, this is especially important if you are new to working as an agency nurse. If you have specific preferences, such as type of facility or shifts, the cover letter is a great place to include that information. Conclusion Getting your application right is the first step to starting your journey as an agency nurse. With these tips, your application is sure to stand out and get you through the recruitment process quickly. Ready to join First Choice Care, Australia’s most supportive nursing agency? Check out our current roles or register your interest here.