Nurse talks: How to speak with patients and their family

A woman in a black shirt is smiling with a quote behind her.

This week, we had the chance to speak with one of our nurses, Kyra who gave some great insight on how to speak with patients and their family members.

Kyra became a nurse because she likes to keep busy, but also to help and care for people. But other than nursing, Kyra loves to be outside in her free time, whether that’s traveling around, camping, going on a hike, or at the beach.

At FCC, Kyra works within the medical/surgical ward and has a lot of experience when it comes to working with patients and discussing their care plans. Read how Kyra handles challenges on the ward and how she de-stresses from a shift.

How do you explain medication, treatment, or any healthcare situations to a patient without using heaps of medical jargon?

I guess it just comes with experience. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I've always been able to watch what other nurses have done and the way they explain things and just take away that medical jargon. You need to put it in everyday terms for people and use like general conversation. So, either stay away from medical terms or explain if you are going to use any medical terms as well.

I also give the patient plenty of time to ask any questions, sometimes if someone is feeling overwhelmed or haven’t had time to process information, they may have questions later.

How do you handle a difficult situation?

Obviously, keep the tone neutral and calm and ensure that they are happy to have a conversation with you. I will find a private space for the conversation if they want that. Generally, it’s just anxiety for their loved one that can cause people to get frustrated and distressed and sometimes they just need space to have a chat.

What do you do to de-stress?

It’s always good to just reflect. Sometimes a day just catches up to you and by the end, you’re just exhausted. So, sometimes I like to focus on the things that have frustrated me, and if that happened again the next day I would see if there were ways, I could handle it differently or if it was something external and something I could not change how just kind of unpack that.

What do you like most about being an agency nurse?

I like the flexibility in the times that I can work and just being able to take holidays when I need. I also like to move around in different areas of nursing and do different things.

What is your favourite thing about working with us at FCC and do you have any memorable moments?

The staff are so lovely and remember you by name and will ask about something you talked about in a previous conversation with them or just personal life in general.

It was kind of a memorable moment for me when I got the chance to work at a vaccination clinic a couple years ago. I was able to contribute to the COVID-19 vaccinations during COVID which was something different. I’ve also done some work as a school nurse through the agency which I found very interesting, and I wouldn’t have had access to this role as easily without the agency.

If you're working with us and want to get involved in our next Nurse Talks please get in contact with us at marketingHC@peoplein.com.au.

For anyone interested in joining us you can apply now.

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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.