Re: Locum Nursing

Alison Clare Hickman — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:27:40 GMT

Hey there,

I started locuming in January this year pending finding a permanent position as my 'forever home' &/or if I liked locuming to stay as a locum. I find that I am truly loving 'Life like a box of chocolates' and at the moment am considering staying as a locum ufn. I don't need to travel that far (yet) so my petrol costs are reasonable. If I went further afield I would need to balance the travel costs/expenses against projected income of course...

As it was my first recce into unchartered waters I signed with an agency that would keep me 'on the books' (PAYE) so all my tax/National Insurance etc was dealt with. My hourly pay rate is slightly less as a result, however I reckoned that if I didn't like locuming I could simply switch back (financially speaking) to a permanent position more easily without having pay out weekly fees to an umbrella company, go self-employed and worry about the tax or (as you'll read in other threads) become a Limited Company (eek!).

So far so great... and I am beginning to consider going self-employed in the future now my confidence is up; we will see...

You'll find some practices (usually charity/corporate) will only consider a locum if they are signed with an agency. The private practices can be more open to you making a direct approach and invoicing them yourself (self-employed/Ltd Co)... or going onto their 'books' PAYE...

I am liking the freedom. I am certainly liking the pay.

Obviously there are 'hidden costs' such as your own VDS, uniform purchase and cleaning, RCVS registration, radiation dosimeter badge monitoring... however many of these can be included as allowances in your PAYE code; so 20% (basic rate) of the cost is given back to you in a higher tax allowance. Obviously if you are s/emp or a Ltd Co then these costs are directly related to your work so you can claim them as allowable expenses in a tax return. Similarly with your travelling costs and many other allowable expenses you wouldn't get under PAYE status...For best advice/more info you'd need to speak to HMRC/an accountant - even seek advice from an agency (though don't sign on any dotted lines until you've 'compared the market' is my advice...). Tax etc is too complicated to go into here and I am certainly not qualified to give comprehensive/best advice.

There are other threads re locuming work/should I shouldn't I? on this forum so I highly recommend you browse through and have a good read. I did. It helped (and continues to help).

Bon chance! Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you want any further info.

Regards

Ali h

Re: Locum Nursing

Johnathan Prior — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:57:05 GMT

Hi Helen, I'm currently finishing a placement this week and can say I've enjoyed it and looking forward to the next place. In terms of looking for work it's best to speak to an agency in terms of what you are looking for....location, travel, rate etc. they will give help with something to match. This is good to get your first few placements. Hopefully a bit of word of mouth goes to other vets as well (I'm already booked up for next few months by good word from others) Just expect that everywhere is different and some standards can be shocking if you've been at a gold standard place. Try to make the best of it. I'm currently using an umbrella company although I know some on here sort pay out themselves. Is easy to use and you can be paid weekly. Pay depends on experience and location. For me I'm in London so rates are higher than what I'd charge when working outer London/Kent. This is mainly due to travel costs but roughly take home the same amount each week. Also remember you don't get paid sick days, holidays or bank holidays. I'm still getting paid more than a permanent job even with all that. I could take more days off and still earn more really so locum pay is good. Keep something saved for when you are off really. Won't go on too long so anything else just ask