agency nurse – Secure Healthcare Solutions

In the UK there is a high demand for registered general nurses, as over the years there has been staff shortages and the government has not heavily invested in this area, we live in an ageing population and with the COVID-19 pandemic the need for registered nurses has increased massively. This has resulted in nursing agencies offering roles to fill this gap, based on demand. While the transition to be an agency nurse may be simple, it takes a lot to be a great agency nurse.

Below we will be highlighting the main qualities required for agency nursing, where there is a demand for registered general nurses, registered learning disability nurses and registered mental nurse roles, below discover how to make a smooth transition into agency nursing.

A registered nurse has a lot of transferable skills developed over the years and through education. It is important that these skills are applied successfully within a work environment.
It is important that you are kind, caring and professional when dealing with your colleagues and patients to ensure the best care and support is provided.

Communication
One of the most important skills required for a registered nurse is communication skills, a nurse needs to be able to talk to individuals from different cultures. As well as talking to patients, you also need to communicate with family members, doctors and other healthcare staff, accurately and quickly. All parties need to understand patient’s needs and communicate effectively to ensure the best care and support is provided.

Kindness
With a nursing profession, it requires you to be a people person. You have to be compassionate, empathetic and have a genuine interest in helping people which is part of everyday work of a nurse. A patient and family members will experience a variety of emotions, therefore it is important that this is respected and the best support is provided.

Physical fitness
A nurse role requires you to be on your feet a lot of the time, it is a physically demanding job that requires fitness and stamina for you to do your job properly. There is a lot of long hours of work and shift work which requires you to be really fit. For a registered general nurse, check out the NHS’s information about eating well, exercising and healthcare, click here to find out more.

Flexibility
With a nurse role, no two days are the same, nurse professionals need to have the ability to change and adapt at any time. By working for agency as a nurse, there is flexibility to do shifts based on your availability, however sometimes because of patients needs and if working, where 1:1 care is provided 24/7, there will be times that you could be required urgently.

Willingness to learn
As a nurse professional, you have to be willing to learn, through practical experience and learning from other healthcare professionals, you will develop skills to allow you to progress your career. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we also provide training to our registered nurses to ensure that they are effectively trained, and there are opportunities to specialise as registered learning disability nurses and registered mental nurses.

We are a nursing agency in Wolverhampton and we have many registered nurse jobs across the Midlands and Staffordshire, offering flexible shifts to suit your availability and we offer high rates of pay. Check out our job search tool to discover roles local to you or contact our recruitment team on 0121 285 9449 to find out more about our registered general nurse, registered learning disability and registered mental nurse roles to secure a role with us today. We have a team of specialist nurses and we are continuously looking to grow our team by working with you.

Nurses get more up close and personal with sick patients than anyone else does. And yet it’s vital for them to stay healthy: They’ve got hard work to do and can’t be ill around patients with compromised immune systems. We’ve heard countless times that it’s essential to take care of ourselves before taking care of others—you know, the whole “secure your oxygen mask before assisting others” drill—but it’s hard to put into practice. Nurses actually do it.

1. Wash your hands

This one always amazes me. For my nurses, this means washing your hands obsessively outside of work, also. Don’t reserve the clean hands just for clocking in.

2. Dress appropriately

Just because your car is parked in a covered garage does NOT mean you don’t wear the appropriate outdoor clothing. I don’t know how many times I see coworkers walking “quickly” from their car with little to no outdoor gear.

3. Get some sleep

That wonderful immune system you’ve built up isn’t gonna do you any favours if you’re not properly rested. A sleep-deprived immune system is worth nothing to you.

4. Help your immune system

This is that sly reminder to make wise health decisions. I don’t think I need to explain to you what tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can do to that immune system? Oh, this also goes for eating properly cooked meat, etc., too.

5. It’s okay to be around those who are sick

In fact, it’s a requirement! How else is your immune system going to recognize, fight and develop an immunity to those nasty bugs out there if it’s not being exposed to them? Stop avoiding everyone who looks, sounds or claims to be ill.

6. Don’t go to work sick!

This is a tough one for my fellow nurses. There is absolutely no benefit to showing up for work sick. If anything, it will make you feel worse and GET worse. Stay home. Get that sleep I was talking about.

7. Call the doctor when it’s time

Antibiotic resistance is not a myth. Don’t call your PCP just because you have a runny nose. This holds true for the other end of the spectrum, too! Don’t wait 10 days into your cold when you don’t have enough energy to make the phone call, let alone talk.

8. Stop taking shortcuts – OTC Meds

The list is endless here. Vitamin C, B12, D, E (pick a letter from the alphabet), echinacea, ginkgo biloba, elderberry, zinc, etc. Stop looking for lightning in a bottle…it doesn’t exist.

9. Tie back your hair

Just because you can’t see the germs doesn’t mean they’re not there. Tie it back, ladies! And gents!

10. Don’t touch your face

Most communicable diseases are transferred by touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unclean hands and fingers. Not to sound like a broken record, but make sure to wash your hands as much as humanly possible!

So. Did I miss any major tips? Care to add one?