The Evolution of the Agency Nurse

 

For over 12 years my role has involved the recruitment of nurses, but for almost 10 years I have been focused specifically on recruiting Agency Nurses. My goodness how things have changed.

 

During my time overseeing a nursing service, I had a shortfall of nursing hours and would require the support of agency nurses. I was guilty of having a preconceived idea of what was to be expected of an Agency Nurse. To be ignorant and to the point, this was to “do the meds” and deal with emergencies. Following an “Agency shift” I expected to be handed over a mountain of follow ups, issues and grumbles from the team that had worked with them. This preconception had also come, not only from direct experience, but from my line managers and peers. Then something changed. I met some incredible people, people that changed my perception and raised the bar. Initiative, getting involved, HELPING and in essence lovely people who sincerely cared about the people they were there to nurse. My handovers were more manageable, staff were starting to request some of the Agency Nurses back.

 

It was at this point I took an interest in Agency Nurses and my passion for recruitment really started to show. I entered into the world of “Recruitment Agencies” and have never looked back. I have watched the role of the Agency Nurse evolve and, whether the nurses work in private or public sectors, the expectations are now very different to what they were. The Agency Nurses that work with me at Hoop Nursing already have a clear understanding of the role prior to registering, as they will have had experience with working with one of our nurses, or they have had a conversation with one of the Hoop Nursing team that details and agrees the expectations between both of us before beginning their journey.

 

For the nurses that led me to believe it was a minimal role, I absolutely do not place responsibility on them. Agencies should have been putting policies and processes in place during the registration process to set the expectations. We live and learn and hindsight is a wonderful thing. Time and experience has let this role evolve. Nurses now have access to far more benefits when working with an agency than they did historically which evidences the acknowledgement of their hard work. With me at Hoop, our nurses are actively encouraged to give us feedback too. Feedback on service, but also what they feel they could benefit from, both professionally and their general wellbeing.

 

Can we action every recommendation? Probably not.

 

Are all the ideas feasible? Probably not.

 

Will Hoop Nursing give the nurses time to talk through ideas and action constructive and reasonable recommendations? Always. 

 

  The “Agency Nurse” now has a name and a voice.

 

You are seen, heard and recognised, and most importantly valued.