7 tips for healthcare career success

A female doctor is holding a clipboard and smiling.

Healthcare is an incredible industry to work in. There are so many opportunities, amazing people to work with, and so much good to do. Because of all these positives, remaining focused on your professional development is important to make the most of your career.

To help you get the best out of your healthcare career, we’ve put together our top 7 tips for healthcare success.

1. Make a plan

To find success you must have a plan! This should always be the first step taken in setting up your career. So, what should you include in your plan? It’s all about what you want to achieve.

Think about some goals. Look to your future and where you want to be. Put together the steps you need to take, and the skills you need to develop to get there. The trick to making your plan effective is to include SMART Goals. That means specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. Your SMART Goals will help you keep on track as you progress in your career.

2. Surround yourself with the right people

The right people make all the difference. By surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals and aspirations you’ll find the support and motivation you need to keep pushing ahead. You’ll also be able to utilise this network for advice, to find job openings, and for help around upskilling.

The best way to find like-minded people is through networking events or by joining professional organisations. Have a look online or ask around for events happening near you. While they may seem intimidating at first, once you’ve gotten to know a few people they will be fun and great for your career!

3. Pursue your passions

The best way to advance your career, and have a blast doing it, is by pursuing something that you’re passionate about. Following your passion will keep you motivated and provide positive experiences regardless of the challenges you face.

To find the fields or specialisations you’re passionate about, consider your past experiences. What have you enjoyed most while working? What is something that first excited you about healthcare? Once you’ve got an idea consider doing agency work in these fields to try them out.

4. Be open to change

Healthcare is filled with change. There are new technologies, procedures, discoveries, and information coming in constantly. To work in healthcare, you need to be prepared for, and open to, change. You’ll be required to constantly learn and evolve your skills in order to keep up.

Sometimes unexpected career opportunities may open up. Exciting developments are occurring in healthcare, creating fresh job opportunities and innovative approaches to working within the field. When an opportunity that interests you arises, give it a go, even if it wasn’t part of your plan. Trying things out may allow you to find whole new passions.

5. Dress for success

What you wear is important for progressing your career, even these days. As they say, dress for the job you want, not the job that you have. Your clothing can reflect your level of professionalism and competence. It can also give you confidence, allowing you to step up to be who you want to be when meeting with others in your industry.

Scrubs will always be a staple in healthcare and have their time and place. But when it comes to networking events, interviews, or meetings, it’s important to dress the part. You don’t need to break the bank. Simply wear well-fitting, clean, and pressed clothing to convey that you’re put together and take your career seriously.

6. Continue your education

A key component to a long and successful career in healthcare is to never stop learning. As we’ve said earlier, it’s an industry which is constantly evolving, so staying on top of everything requires a love of learning.

Pursue new training opportunities where you can. Learn about new technologies, theories, or procedures. Look to professional organisations, your employer, or third-party learning companies for more ongoing educational opportunities. Growing your skills will grow your career opportunities, helping you reach your goals.

7. Start now

When’s the best time to start working on your career? Right now! Starting right now allows you to keep up your motivation, and maintain your momentum. Waiting could leave you procrastinating, and missing opportunities.

Get started with a plan as soon as you can. From there, you’ll be free to focus on education and upskilling, which will be guided by your plan. Start now and you’ll change your career for the better, forever!

Conclusion

Working in healthcare is an incredible experience. There are so many wonderful moments, opportunities, and people to meet. It’s an unforgettable career path. To make the most of it, you need to put together a plan, surround yourself with the right people, and get on with pursuing your passions. Start trying out these tips and see how they shape your career.

For a change in your career check out agency nursing by getting in touch with us!

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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

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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.