Re: Locumming in Scotland

Jo Mackenzie — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 22:15:02 GMT

Fire away, happy to help if I can :)

Re: Locumming in Scotland

Julie-Anne Wilson — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:00:33 GMT

Hi Jo,

Thanks for the response. Would you mind if I PMed you a few questions? I don't personally know anyone who has locummed so it'd be great to pick your brain about some stuff.

Re: Locumming in Scotland

Jo Mackenzie — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:19:07 GMT

I started locumming a couple of years ago and now I don't see myself ever going back to permanent work again, I love it! I'm from Inverness, but the first few months I was locumming I specifically wanted to work in other parts of the UK so actively looked for work in England and Wales. But then I got myself a Scottish man and found myself wanting to work closer to home so that I could see more of him - like you I was a bit dubious about how much work I would find in Scotland as I had never seen much advertised, but over the last 18 months I've managed to work exclusively in Scotland, and even had more work offers than I could accept! The agencies are really helpful, I signed up with a couple and stated that I'd prefer to work in Scotland, and I get regular emails with work in Scotland specifically, as well as the general UK-wide lists they send round. I'd also recommend signing up with VetsNow, they have a few hospitals in Scotland now and are always looking for locums. I was also a bit pro-active and sent my CV round local practices with a cover letter telling them that I was available for locum work, and got quite a lot of work that way (and prefer that to the agencies as the money tends to be better - no agency cuts). In the two and a half years I've been doing it, I've only been out of work for one three-week period, which I could have easily filled with work in England but knew I had another job starting soon so took it as a bit of a holiday. There is always work, even if you do have to take the occasional stint in England or Wales. You don't get sucked into practice politics, the pay is better, you get to experience all different kinds of practices, it makes you a better nurse, you make friends and contacts all over the place, and you get to choose when and where you work. I couldn't recommend it highly enough really! (although it's definitely not for everyone) Good luck, whatever you decide!