7 benefits of working as a rural and remote nurse

A view of a city from a hill overlooking the ocean at sunset.

If you’re a nurse looking for a career boost or a change of scenery, then you’ll love rural nursing. There are a tonne of opportunities to grow your career, explore new places, meet new people, and make a bit extra on top. Plus, you’ll find a lot of placements available, so you can jump in at any time.

Still need more convincing? Let’s dive into the top 8 benefits of working as a rural nurse.

1. Free accommodation

Most rural and remote contracts last between 4-12 weeks. So, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Fortunately, each contract comes with free accommodation.

You won’t have to worry about where you’re staying, paying rent, or hotel fees. There’ll be a room waiting for you that’s the perfect base to work and explore the beautiful environment around you.

2. A higher salary

Who doesn’t love having a bit extra in their pocket? Rural and remote contracts often command a higher salary than metro contracts. Of course, this will depend on the contract. But if you’re looking to make more money then you’ll easily run into a contract with a great hourly rate.

It’s the perfect way of giving your income a quick boost. If you’re saving for a home, a holiday, or something else, then the boost could make all the difference.

3. Travel allowances

Since you’ll need to travel to a rural or remote location for a few weeks (and eventually travel back home), you’ll receive a travel allowance. This will help to pay for flights, train tickets, or fuel for your trip over. Not as common, but some rural and remote contracts do include free flights. Do check, however, as they may not be free for your partner if you want to bring them along.

Generally, there’s a reimbursement of up to $500 for your international travel costs. Regarding fuel, you’ll be reimbursed fuel costs at commencement and completion of contracts.

4. Living away from home allowance (LAFHA)

To add to all this extra money on top is an added deal sweetener of a living-away-from-home allowance. This is to pay for all your meals or bills that you may get during your contract. FCC offers a $150 per week allowance to help make the trek to a rural or remote location even easier. You won’t have any extra bills to worry about on top of those at home. So, you can sit back and enjoy all the incredible experiences country Australia has to offer.

5. Increased autonomy

Rural and remote locations will often have smaller healthcare teams. This will often lead to nurses having greater levels of autonomy and economy for critical care. You’ll have the opportunity to make decisions and the opportunity to practice at the top of your field.

For those looking to get the chance to stand out in their field, grow their career, or get away from the structure of metro facilities then this is the perfect opportunity.

6. Professional growth and leadership opportunities

On top of increased autonomy, the smaller teams in healthcare facilities enable greater opportunities for professional growth and leadership. You’ll face new challenges and work closer with the team to solve them. Nursing in rural locations will improve your adaptability and challenge your skills, allowing you to grow professionally faster than you would in metro locations.

7. Greater work/life balance

Nothing beats small-town work/life balance. There’s no traffic, wide open spaces, and so much to do. Most healthcare facilities are a quick drive away, reducing commute times. Rural towns are also known for their laid-back, less hectic pace of life.

When you’re not working you also get the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful parts of Australia. There are farms, rainforests, beaches, lakes, deserts, and so much more ready for you to explore. All of this comes together to provide a higher quality of life.

Conclusion

There’s not much that beats the benefits of working rural and remote contracts as a nurse. You get to see some incredible places across the country, work with amazing people, and accelerate your career. All of that while earning some sweet bonuses on top.

It’s a win-win for anyone who loves travelling or wants to get out of the city for a bit. The best part is that once your contract is up you can return to your life in the city with a bit extra cash in your pocket.

If this sounds like an awesome opportunity for you, come register your interest here.

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

By Matthew Power • 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 Matthew Power • 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.