I’ve been working as an agency AIN for almost ten months now. I work for an amazing agency and with a group of passionate, caring and knowledgeable colleagues. Working for an agency is much like working as a nurse or AIN in any other setting, apart from a few key differences. I hope that this article gives you some idea of what agency staff do and what it’s like to work as an agency AIN.
Put very simply, there are two types of agency jobs: short term contracts or day-to-day shifts (please excuse the lack of technical terms!). Short term contracts usually last from a month to a few months in one facility. Day-to-day shifts mean that the nurse or AIN work at a different facility booked on a per-day basis. You may be working at one facility for a day and another facility the next day. From what I have observed, different agencies tend to either specialise in short-term contracts or day-to-day shifts rather than have a combination of both. At the moment I work on a day-to-day basis.
The Positives
Working for an agency gives you the opportunity to practice in a variety of clinical settings. I have had the opportunity to work in many areas which have helped to teach me lots of thing which I couldn’t have learnt by working in a single facility.
If you love travel, working for an agency might be for you! Working on a short-term contract basis means you can go anywhere in the country. A lot of nurses use this as an opportunity to see the country and experience a different lifestyle for a short while. Often these agencies will also pay for your accommodation while in a different part of the country which gives you the opportunity to save lots! (But check with the agency – each agency is different).
The hours aren’t great. Sometimes you have to work very early or very late but all nurses are compensated for these crazy working hours! It’s a very flexible position. Working on a day-to day basis has been amazing for me as a student as I can take time off for placement or exams. On a short-term contract basis, you may be able to accept or decline work opportunities.
The Not So Positives
Working for an agency on a day-to-day basis is hard. I can’t lie to you. You don’t have the same support network as you might in a regular position as a nurse or AIN. This is because you are never working with the same people and rarely see your boss. Sometimes I’m referred to as ‘the agency girl’ instead of my name (I’m bad with names too, but I wear a name badge). Though I know that if I have any questions or concerns, my boss can help me, day or night.
Working at different facilities means that you don’t always know a client’s preferences. This makes it difficult, if certain information isn’t handed over to you, to do your job to the best of your ability. For example, one client may be on thickened fluids but if this information is not handed over, there is a risk of aspiration (choking hazard).
The Verdict
Agency work is some peoples’ bread and butter. It’s not mine but nevertheless I love my job. I love my job because of the amazing clients. I am in the privileged position to make a direct impact on the lives of my clients. Making a difference for the better makes everything worth it. If you have the opportunity to work as an agency nurse or AIN, you will learn so much and be in a position to help those who need it.
If you have any questions about nursing or agency work, please feel free to ask!
Daisy Azmi 