Essential winter tips for agency nurses, care assistants, and support workers in mental health, learning disability, and acute care settings!
Getting Ahead of Winter: Why Agency Staff Should Prepare
If you’re working as an agency nurse, care assistant, or support worker in the UK, you know better than anyone what a vital, and rewarding role you play. Every day, you’re supporting patients and residents across hospitals, care homes, and community care settings.
It’s no secret that winter can be a particularly demanding time of year for agency staff. With increased patient illness, staff shortages, and higher demands across stretched systems, November is the perfect time to start preparing for the cold months ahead.
Planning now can help you to stay ahead of the winter surge, maintain your wellbeing, and ensure you continue providing safe, high-quality care!
Why Winter Preparation Matters
The winter season in healthcare is often synonymous with extra pressure. When illnesses spike, and staffing gaps become clear, increased opportunities for agency staff are generally the first port of call in an attempt to alleviate pressure.
This means, whether you’re an agency nurse, care assistant, or a support worker, you will probably notice a surge in available shifts this winter!
Preparing yourself early doesn’t just have an effect on your next shift; it reduces your overall stress, helps you to stay resilient, and ensures the people in your care continue to receive the best possible support.
We’ve found that agency staff who plan ahead for their winter work schedules are then best positioned to secure their preferred shifts in their ideal locations! Let’s dive into a few of the ways you can prepare yourself today, and have a stress free December and January…
How Agency Staff Can Prepare
Once you’ve planned your winter schedule, the next step is making sure you’re fully prepared for the season ahead.
The first step to becoming ready for winter as an agency worker is ensuring that you are fully compliant and ready to work. Working with an agency like NursLink takes that pressure off you, with our compliance manager supporting you through revalidation and ensuring your certifications stay up to date and active, so there are no delays to your winter shifts!
Refreshing your skills is also key. Winter can have a big impact on the mood and wellbeing of patients and residents, particularly in mental health and learning disability settings. Shorter days, colder weather, and seasonal changes can lead to increased anxiety, low mood, agitation, or withdrawal.
Reviewing de-escalation techniques, behaviour management strategies, and patient-focused communication now helps you respond effectively, keep people engaged, and maintain a calm, supportive environment throughout the winter months.
Simple steps like good hand hygiene (pro tip: keep hand sanitiser on you this winter, especially when using public transport!), eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest all help you balance your workload with proper downtime – preventing burnout and helping you enjoy the season.
Finally, planning your availability early with your agency ensures you’re first in line for peak shifts and holiday coverage. Being proactive can help you secure your preferred shifts early this winter!
Take Control This Winter
Working in healthcare during winter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With preparation and the right support, it can be manageable and rewarding.
Agency nurses, care assistants, and support workers who plan ahead are better placed to handle the inevitable increase in demand, while maintaining their wellbeing, and making the most of flexible opportunities.
With a bit of preparation and care for yourself before you head out to care for others, you can take on the winter season with confidence- continuing to provide the compassionate, high-quality care that makes such a difference every day.
