Pros and Cons of Agency Nursing vs Casual Pool Nursing

Though we at First Choice Care absolutely love agency nursing, we know a casual pool setup is also a viable and often rewarding option for nurses. So which do you choose? Working out the pathway that is right for you and your family can take time, research, and many conversations with nursing friends over microwaved Tupperware meals. So to make it easier, we’ve done the leg work by exploring the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed choice. But who really says you have to choose one or the other anyhow?

Pros to Agency Nursing

Greater work- life balance and flexibility

As an agency nurse, you are in charge of dictating when and where you’d like to work. Though you can’t simply create vacancies wherever you like, you can work closely with your nursing agency and with a clever roster request process, organise a working life that suits you and your family's needs.

If you don’t want to work the night shift - you don’t have to. If you want to work all morning shifts without feeling the pressure from your colleagues to pull your weight on the PM shift - you can. It should be noted though that the choosier you are with the roster, the more limited your chance of obtaining work.

Greater networking opportunities

When working in a range of different facilities and hospitals you are exposed to so much more. You get to have conversations and work alongside talented people you’ve never met, in new and exciting environments. Though this is possible in a casual pool as well, agency simply gives you more reach as you can work across a range of facilities.

Financial Rewards

As an agency nurse, you can certainly save your pennies quickly as the rate per hour is rather impressive in comparison to a regular nursing wage. But why the difference you may ask? Well, there is the unpredictability of shifts which plays a part, but the other important aspect is agency nurses cannot accrue sick/personal leave. To put it blankly, if you don’t work you don’t get paid.

Cons to Agency Nursing

Lack of set shifts

Agency nursing can be unpredictable. You can be called up in a minutes notice to start a shift 30 minutes away, whilst at the same time be cancelled even on your way to a shift. There are rules and regulations about canceled shifts you’ll want to know about to ensure you are getting paid adequately should the job be cancelled last minute.

The constant need to adapt to a new environment

For some agency nurses, this is not a con at all! They thrive in new environments and meeting new faces. It’s what keeps them motivated and prevents complacency. What do you think?

Pros to Casual Pool Nursing

Guaranteed work

When working casual pool, you’re entitled to a roster generally 4-6 weeks in advance, outlining the shifts in which you will be working. Though you won’t generally know where you are working (i.e the ward), you will know the time and length of the shift in advance.

Feel part of the team

As casual pool staff are working within the same organisation, they can quickly develop relationships even after just a few shifts of being allocated to the same ward/unit. Knowing you are going to see a friendly face during your next shift may be just the motivational lift you need to give your best nursing care.

Staff offers and discounts

These include but are not limited to, salary packaging, the use of the on-site gymnasium, discounted car parking, use of the staff health clinic, and attending the in-service education program.

Cons to Casual Pool Nursing

Limited say in where you want to work

As casual pool staff are allocated to work where there are vacancies, there is a chance that you’ll be allocated the same ward often, and you may not like it. Though I’m sure there is an opportunity to voice your preferences, it is the nature of casual pool nursing.

You may not be working with your friends

Your shift may at times feel like you are working for an agency. You may not know the environment, if you’ve never had a shift there before, and you may not have met any of the other nurses. This can feel a bit isolating if you’re normally surrounded with nurses you know and trust.

In summary, if you want freedom within your work where you have the opportunity to meet new people and experience a range of different environments, think agency nursing. However, if you’d like to know when your next shift is, have the ability to plan holidays, and potentially work amongst friends, the casual pool workforce may be calling your name. Remember, if you can’t decide, there is nothing stopping you from doing both for a period of time that works, then adjusting down to what you prefer!

Cheers,

Emma

Registered Nurse

Co-Founder The Other Shift

Theothershift.com

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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.