Top tips for agency nurses and care workers to make the most of shifts, reduce stress, and boost career growth!
Practical advice for agency nurses and care workers so that every shift feels smoother, safer, and more rewarding!
Being an agency nurse or care worker means adapting fast. New wards, new teams, new systems, sometimes all in a single week. Here are practical tips to help you get the most out of your agency shifts, reduce stress, and keep your nursing or care career on track.
It’s all in the prep work
Confirm your shift details the night before: unit contact, start time, travel plan. Pack your essentials: ID, PIN, pen, watch, snacks, notepad. Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early to ease into handover.
Perfect the first 10 minutes
First impressions matter. Introduce yourself, get a clear handover, and ask about top priorities. This shows professionalism and helps you focus on patient care right away.
Map the essentials fast
Locate meds storage, resus equipment, PPE, and the staff room early. Get familiar with documentation requirements, whether it be pen to paper or e- systems to avoid delays!
Build rapport quickly
Strong relationships make shifts easier. Be approachable, offer help, and learn colleagues’ names. Patients and permanent staff appreciate effort, even in small ways.
Keep timesheets & compliance airtight
Submit timesheets before leaving, log travel, and update mandatory training. Staying on top of admin ensures smooth pay and ongoing compliance – working for the right agency can help hugely here!
Protect your boundaries
Prioritise patient safety, escalate issues early, and take your breaks. Agency nurses and care workers who set boundaries avoid burnout.
Use agency flexibility to your advantage
Explore different wards to gain skills or block-book regular shifts for consistency. Want higher pay? Look for unsocial hours or specialist placements.
Make every shift count for your career
Keep a CPD log with new skills learned or feedback received. Request references from positive placements, these can be invaluable for securing future roles.
Tiny wellbeing hacks that work!
Stay hydrated, keep healthy snacks on hand, and do short breathing exercises between tasks. A one-minute decompression routine after handover helps you switch off.
Your Quick Shift Checklist:
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Confirm your shifts details
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Pack the essentials
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Arrive early
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Get urgent handover notes
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Familiarise yourself with the area/ ward, locate resus trolley & emergency numbers
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Complete timesheet
Why agency work works for you
Working as an agency nurse or care worker gives you flexibility, variety, and control over your career. With smart planning, every shift can boost your skills, reduce stress, and help you build the lifestyle you want.
Looking for agency shifts that suit your schedule, pay goals, or clinical interests? Talk to your NursLink today and we’ll match you with the right opportunities.
