To locum or not to locum....

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Katie Newport — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:47:30 GMT

yes i loved it! i would have stayed but the commute was a bit much every day

Re: To locum or not to locum....

mrsspider — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:26:32 GMT

I have worked at a couple of pdsa clinics as a locum and really enjoyed it. They are usually very busy and can have some particularly challenging clients but I am sure you will love it. Good luck

Re: To locum or not to locum....

bonny10 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:15:44 GMT

Ive just handed a months notice in at work and got a locum job lined up for 5 weeks at the PDSA. So excited yet nervous, i qualified in my current practice so change is scary but i feel now is the time to do it.

As anyone any experience of locuming for the PDSA?

Re: To locum or not to locum....

dallinson — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:20:56 GMT

Hi I locumed for a year to save for my wedding and loved it. I worked for a company for the most part and travelled the uk. Acccommodation could be poor but I gained much confidence and developed different working skills. I ended long term locuming for the pdsa and practice down south for good 4-5months each. Earned lots of money and worked when I wanted to. I say go for it, you may get to use more skills and learn lots! x

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:58:19 GMT

Bonny l am single with mortgage and doing fine l only trust the following agencys and use

Ann-A1
Jenny-Shona Hostler
Kirsty-Carlton Professional

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Sal the 1st — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:14:34 GMT

I did a few jobs through agency when I was locuming but found after a while that you get your regulars - tho some of the agencies are now saying you cannot repeat work for a practice within x amount of time without them being paid to place you

Re: To locum or not to locum....

bonny10 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:52:58 GMT

I am taking the leap into locuming within the next few months (just trying to get work booked before i hand my notice in).

Everyone i have spoken to says it is a positive thing to do and i don't want to regret never giving it a go in the future, it is a big risk for me because i am in a fairly good paid permanant job and being a single person with a mortgage to pay means i am risking alot.

My main concern is obviously not getting enough work but from what i have seen there seems to be a lot of work out there if willing to travel. Il let you know how i get on.

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:27:53 GMT

I loved it I think every nurse should locum for a while You learn lots meet a lot of people and sometimes relise some jobs are not as bad as you thought at the time. Take the leap and do it x x

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:05:23 GMT

I worked as a locum for six months. You either like it or you don't. I didn't really enjoy it that much, although I valued the experience I gained. But you do have to be prepared to travel. I worked mainly in Herts and London.

It is initially difficult in the beginning as you get used to being a locum as you have to adapt to that practice's way of doing things etc and as soon as you get to know people, you then move on, which I found quite difficult.

Needless to say, my last locum job was where I still am today, two and half years later as a Head Nurse! So potentially you could find somewhere you want to stay while locumming.

I used an umbrella company too, but be careful, I got way too much tax taken out of my wages and got a nice big fat cheque earlier this year as a result!

Re: To locum or not to locum....

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:28:00 GMT

I loved my year as a locum great experience would recommend it to everyone You have to be flexible in your attitude so follow what the practice does and go with it. I worked in a range of practices and met people who I am still friends with now. I was lucky I think as I landed great jobs and good practices giving me great experience and confidence. I registered with all the locum agencies and also looked at practices looking for permanent staff and contacted them to see if they needed a locum. You have to be prepared the accomodation you will stay in as it can be basic but that didnt bother me. I also choose to travel to parts of the country I had not been before so could do some sight seeing if I had any time off. I went under an umbrella company which I found was easy to use rather than myself working out the accounts. So I would say GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

Re: To locum or not to locum....

F1chick — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:44:27 GMT

I've found I generally have to be willing to travel.

Be confident in your abilities.

If you don't know ASK