To Locum or Not to Locum

Re: To Locum or Not to Locum

Kate Lander — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 15:15:13 GMT

Hi Stacy,

I think if you are confident, as a nurse and generally as a person, can travel and don't mind staying away from home, then yes, the agencies will find you work and you'll make money and hopefully have a lot of fun.

When I started locumming, I spoke to pretty much all the relevant agencies and some were very helpful. Unfortunately a certain agency (which shall remain nameless) messed me around with a six week booking which then fell through, so I was left with no work. I also struggled with some agencies because as my brother is an accountant, I wanted him to look after my tax (free ) rather than pay an umbrella company.

I was lucky because I don't need to worry about rent or bills, but it was still a risk as I'm used to being financially independent. So I basically re-did my CV, printed it out on nice paper and sent it with a covering letter to every practice within 50 miles. I followed it up later with emails and phone calls, and every now and then, I re-email practices I'd particularly like to work for, to remind them of my existence. Once things got going, I've always had plenty of work, mostly from word-of-mouth. Ten months later, despite regular emails and calls, I've never had actual work materialise through an agency. To be fair, this might be due partially due to living 'out in the sticks' and being unwilling to travel far, but I decided when I started locumming, exactly what I wanted to do (i.e. how far I would travel, my hourly rate etc) and I've stuck to it. I was also influenced by another very experienced nurse who always found and negotiated her own work in her local area.

Anyway, that's just my experience. My concern for you would be as a newly qualified, you might find yourself thrown into the deep end and struggle to cope. A locum is expected to land on her feet and keep running. I've heard people say that it takes 3 months to settle into any new job but think...you might only be booked at a practice for a day and you have to get straight in and make yourself useful. If you don't you won't get asked back. Plus, the veterinary industry is a very small world- if you're good then you can make this work for you, however the opposite can also be true. I would probably work for a couple of years post qualifying before making the leap completely. You could always just do the odd night with Vets Now alongside your current job (if they don't mind) to gain experience.

Hope that helps

Re: To Locum or Not to Locum

Sierra Bravo — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 21:35:11 GMT

how easy is it to start finding jobs? Do agencies help with any thing else other than find you jobs? becoming a locum is something i have thought about when i qualify but im just a little scared about taking the risk. whats the best way to start or get into it?

Re: To Locum or Not to Locum

bunnyshouse — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:53:19 GMT

I have been locuming for more than a year now. I am doing this in london currently. If you have any specific questions I could help you with please drop me an email.

Re: To Locum or Not to Locum

bonny10 — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:31:54 GMT

I have just started locuming (in my second week now) and really enjoying it at the moment but i left my permanant job because i was unhappy and needed a challenge.

Permanant jobs offer security and routine where as locuming is more spontaneous and you have to settle into new places very quickly. Locum pay is good but if you consider no holiday pay, cpd etc there isn't a huge difference. The best thing is you can claim expenses such as petrol to boost income.

I have gone through an agency for my current position but also sent cv's out to local practices and had some good responses. The agency don't charge you for their service they charge the vet practice. For example you get paid say £11 an hour and the practice is paying the agency £17 an hour for you to work there. If you use an umbrella company to sort your tax they will charge you snd it works out about £20 a week just depends if you want to do your own tax returns.

Hope this helps a little.