Congratulations to our Nurse of the month for February – Holy! She’s an incredible nurse who puts a lot of care and effort each day for her patients. We absolutely love working alongside you! You can hear all about Holly’s time as a nurse at the interview below: What do you like most about FCC? I appreciate the assistance and communication from the allocation team when a shift has been cancelled and how they try to provide a shift. I like that I deal with the same allocation staff if I call to change a shift or need information; I have my two main men, Michael and Tait, who help me with anything I need. Why did you want to be a nurse? I have always wanted a career that continues to teach me something almost every day; this career has no end to gaining knowledge, educating oneself and sharing that with patients to help them understand their situation in a caring and informative way. Being an agency nurse, you are constantly placed in different environments and departments, learning a new procedure or medication or dealing with a different hospital protocol on matters; it is fascinating. What has been the highlight of working with FCC? Being able to work in multiple hospitals, obtaining rapport with NUM's and permanent staff. I like the challenge of trying to fit in when times are stressful and busy. Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? I have recommended FCC to many nurses; none have yet made the leap, but I am pleased with the services they provide and the support. I explain the flexibilities of the role and how the learning of new protocols and procedures is forever keeping me on my toes, the hourly wages making up for the occasional cancelled shift. Forever learning and being challenged, I couldn't love it any more.

Congratulations to our Nurse of the Month for January 2025 - Robyn! We want to recognise the incredible levels of care you put in each day. Your patients are lucky to have you, and we're always grateful to have you on our team. Robyn has provided us with an amazing interview below! Check it out: What do you like most about FCC? It can be hard to choose just one reason but one of the things I like most about FCC is how consistently connected they are to their nurses. There is never a time while on contract that I feel unsupported or isolated and they are genuinely passionate about making sure that I am valued and heard. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasions that I’m on contract they always let me know that while my own family may be a long way from wherever I am, I still have my work family looking after me. Not just a bit, every single time! Why did you want to be a nurse? I have had a number of different career paths in my lifetime; from fitness to aviation and just about everything in between. I became a nurse because I wanted to do something by which I could make a contribution in, not only my community but also my family. The question we ask children about “ what do you want to do when you grow up?” for me while my answer was seated in what a kind, generous, well respected and community revered role it appeared to be to say “Nurse” kind of just fell out of my enthusiastic child’s brain and never entered it until a very much family member suffered a devastating stroke that “to be a nurse” changed both our lives. I watched the nursing team show knowledge, skill and just as importantly compassionate care that made such a positive impact on my whole family that I decided I wanted to learn the same and hopefully give some of the same back. What has been the highlight of working with FCC? The highlights of working for FCC have been many. The new adventures each contract brings, the opportunities to meet new people who have similar interests and sharing those adventures with new friends who become old friends who also become the same friends I recommend my agency with. Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? Of course!!! Two of them are now on contract with me in Lismore!! I always tell people who I’m signed up with because I’m really proud to belong to such an amazing team.

Congratulations to our Nurse of the month for February – Holy! She’s an incredible nurse who puts a lot of care and effort each day for her patients. We absolutely love working alongside you! You can hear all about Holly’s time as a nurse at the interview below: What do you like most about FCC? I appreciate the assistance and communication from the allocation team when a shift has been cancelled and how they try to provide a shift. I like that I deal with the same allocation staff if I call to change a shift or need information; I have my two main men, Michael and Tait, who help me with anything I need. Why did you want to be a nurse? I have always wanted a career that continues to teach me something almost every day; this career has no end to gaining knowledge, educating oneself and sharing that with patients to help them understand their situation in a caring and informative way. Being an agency nurse, you are constantly placed in different environments and departments, learning a new procedure or medication or dealing with a different hospital protocol on matters; it is fascinating. What has been the highlight of working with FCC? Being able to work in multiple hospitals, obtaining rapport with NUM's and permanent staff. I like the challenge of trying to fit in when times are stressful and busy. Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? I have recommended FCC to many nurses; none have yet made the leap, but I am pleased with the services they provide and the support. I explain the flexibilities of the role and how the learning of new protocols and procedures is forever keeping me on my toes, the hourly wages making up for the occasional cancelled shift. Forever learning and being challenged, I couldn't love it any more.

Congratulations to our Nurse of the Month for January 2025 - Robyn! We want to recognise the incredible levels of care you put in each day. Your patients are lucky to have you, and we're always grateful to have you on our team. Robyn has provided us with an amazing interview below! Check it out: What do you like most about FCC? It can be hard to choose just one reason but one of the things I like most about FCC is how consistently connected they are to their nurses. There is never a time while on contract that I feel unsupported or isolated and they are genuinely passionate about making sure that I am valued and heard. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, birthdays or any other special occasions that I’m on contract they always let me know that while my own family may be a long way from wherever I am, I still have my work family looking after me. Not just a bit, every single time! Why did you want to be a nurse? I have had a number of different career paths in my lifetime; from fitness to aviation and just about everything in between. I became a nurse because I wanted to do something by which I could make a contribution in, not only my community but also my family. The question we ask children about “ what do you want to do when you grow up?” for me while my answer was seated in what a kind, generous, well respected and community revered role it appeared to be to say “Nurse” kind of just fell out of my enthusiastic child’s brain and never entered it until a very much family member suffered a devastating stroke that “to be a nurse” changed both our lives. I watched the nursing team show knowledge, skill and just as importantly compassionate care that made such a positive impact on my whole family that I decided I wanted to learn the same and hopefully give some of the same back. What has been the highlight of working with FCC? The highlights of working for FCC have been many. The new adventures each contract brings, the opportunities to meet new people who have similar interests and sharing those adventures with new friends who become old friends who also become the same friends I recommend my agency with. Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? Of course!!! Two of them are now on contract with me in Lismore!! I always tell people who I’m signed up with because I’m really proud to belong to such an amazing team.

At First Choice Care (FCC), we take pride in celebrating the incredible work of our nursing staff. For August, we are thrilled to announce Kat as our Nurse of the Month! As a dedicated travel nurse, Kat has made a lasting impact on patients across Australia while balancing her personal and professional life. Here's a closer look at her journey with FCC. What do you like most about FCC? "One of the things I like the most about FCC is the variety of contracts on offer to nurses throughout Australia and the work/life balance I've been able to achieve working as a travel nurse." Why did you want to be a nurse? "I chose to become a Registered Nurse because the profession offers a unique combination of personal and professional fulfillment. The ability to provide care, support, and comfort to patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives gives me a profound sense of purpose. Furthermore, I have always been fascinated by the human body and how its complex systems work in unison to sustain life. You can probably guess some of the subjects I enjoyed most whilst at university!" What has been the highlight of working with FCC? "The best part of working with FCC has been the opportunity to improve my clinical skills, meet new people, and explore locations I wouldn’t have discovered if I had continued working solely in Brisbane." Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? "I would recommend my consultant, Sasha, to any of my nursing friends considering travel nursing. I have found Sasha to be dependable, an excellent communicator, and proactive in securing contracts for her clients." Conclusion Kat's passion for nursing, her adventurous spirit, and her dedication to delivering top-quality care make her a shining example of what it means to be part of the FCC family. We are proud to have her as our Nurse of the Month for August and look forward to supporting her continued success as she travels and makes a difference across Australia. Congratulations, Kat!

At First Choice Care (FCC), we pride ourselves on recognizing the outstanding contributions of our nurses, who consistently demonstrate dedication, compassion, and professionalism in their roles. This month, we are thrilled to honor Hollie as our Nurse of the Month for June 2024. Hollie exemplifies the qualities we value at FCC, and we are excited to share her story with you. An Interview with Hollie What do you like most about FCC? FCC has a streamlined sign-up process; the consultants are approachable and helpful. Why did you want to be a nurse? As a nurse we are able to improve people’s experiences within the healthcare setting, making a real difference in someone's life. I truly believe that helping others is the most rewarding thing one can do with one's life. What has been the highlight of working with FCC? Working with first choice care has enabled me to travel to a variety of locations within Australia. I have enjoyed the exposure to different facilities and the skills and experiences gained from this. Would you recommend FCC to other nurses and why? I have and would recommend FCC to any nurses wishing to travel and work within Australia. The signup process is streamlined and the consultants are down to earth and very helpful. 

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!