How to make your nursing agency application stand out

A nurse is holding a tablet in a hospital hallway.

You always want to make the best first impression when applying for a job. Applying to work as an agency nurse is no exception. While there’s a lot of demand for nurses to fill all the available shifts, you still need to get your application right.

A great nursing agency wants nurses who are highly qualified, meet their minimum standards, and will be great to work with. The best way to showcase this is to assemble an application that ticks all the boxes and makes a great first impression.

What do you need to do to stand out? Fortunately, it’s simple. We’ve got tips for 3 parts of your application.

Include all the information you’re asked for.

The best way to increase your chances of getting the job, and making the application process faster, is by providing all the information asked for. It may seem simple, but it is one thing that is often missed.

When you’re completing your application, go through each section carefully. Ensure you’ve provided information for each section, including relevant details. Once you’re done, don’t submit it. Instead, go back over every question to make sure the information is accurate, and every question has been completed.

Once you’re happy you can hit submit!

Your Cover Letter.

Sometimes you’ll need to submit a cover letter. This one-page document is your chance to make a great first impression. It’s where you summarise who you are, what your experience is, and why you’re looking at agency nursing. The trick is to keep it concise, professional and well-formatted.

Name the position that you’re applying for, mention where you found the job ad and the documents you’ve enclosed. Add to that a few words about your qualifications, and specialties that you’re interested in. We love to see your future goals in agency nursing so we can help you meet them!

Your CV.

Even more important than your cover letter is your CV. This includes your education, work experience, and skills. It’s what the agency uses to work out if you’re the perfect match. To help out, and stand out, here are a few areas to focus on.

1. Contact details

Getting your contact details right is essential. Make sure your phone number and email are clearly displayed, easy to read, and accurate. If your email address isn’t easy to understand or isn’t professional, set up a new one and connect the accounts.

2. Timeframes

The timeframes of your career and education should be listed in reverse chronological order. This means that your most recent career achievements and highest education completed go first. It’ll make it easy to read and understand. You should also make dates of employment clear and include some dot points on your achievements and responsibilities.

3. Strengths

It’s a great idea to put your skills front and centre in your CV. Consider which skills you want to highlight. For some hints, look at what’s listed in the description or requirements section of the job listing. This will help you show that you match what the nursing agency is looking for.

4. Qualifications

Ensure your training and qualifications are up-to-date and relevant. This is especially important for emergency nurses, rural nurses, or other specialised nurses. List any other relevant qualifications to ensure you showcase that you’re ready for the job.

5. References

Not every employer requires references in the Healthcare sector. However, it’s often a requirement for nursing agencies. So, it’s a good idea to keep some handy. Put them into your application, and ensure all their details are correct. It’ll make your application process easier when the agency asks for references.

Conclusion

Having a great application allows you to stand out, make an excellent first impression, and get started faster. You’ll start your new job with the best foot forward, ready to meet your goals. If you’re looking to sign up to FCC, 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.