What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Agency Nurse?

In this blog, you will learn:

• The benefits of becoming an agency Nurse.
• The perks SCG offers for agency Nurses.
• How to find and apply for the best nursing jobs.

Nursing is a rewarding and challenging profession that requires dedication, compassion, and a desire to help others. 

Agency nursing in the UK is an exciting and fulfilling career path that offers many benefits and advantages from higher pay rates to fantastic opportunities for career progression.

If you have experience within healthcare and you’re looking for a role with variety and flexibility, you might be looking to explore the option of agency work. 

As a recruitment agency, we work closely with NHS Trusts across the nation, who offer rewarding nursing opportunities with a range of benefits.

In this blog, we’re exploring the benefits of becoming an agency Nurse.

What are the benefits of becoming an agency Nurse?

The benefits of becoming an agency Nurse include:

• Flexibility.
• Higher pay rates.
• Opportunities for career development.
• Improved work-life balance.
• No long-term commitments.

Flexibility

One of the significant advantages of being an agency nurse is the flexibility it provides. Agency Nurses can choose when and where they want to work, giving them the freedom to create a work-life balance that suits them. 

This flexibility allows agency Nurses to work around their family commitments, education, or other responsibilities that they may have.

Agency Nurses can also choose the type of work they want to do, whether it’s working in a hospital, care home, or community setting. This choice allows agency Nurses to gain experience in various healthcare settings and specialties, broadening their skills and knowledge.

Higher pay rates

Agency Nurses in the UK typically receive higher pay rates than permanent nurses. The reason for this is that agency Nurses are employed on a temporary basis to cover staff shortages, which means that they are paid more to reflect this.

It’s reported that the hourly rate of an agency Nurse can be up to 66% more than permanent bank staff members. 

The higher pay rates for agency Nurses provide an opportunity for them to earn more money than they would as permanent Nurses, which can be a significant incentive for those looking to increase their income.

Opportunities for career development

Agency nursing in the UK provides excellent opportunities for career development. Agency Nurses can gain experience in different specialties which will allow them to work with different healthcare professionals and learn from their experiences.

The variety of work opportunities that agency nursing provides allows Nurses to work with a variety of patient groups and to then find their niche and specialise in an area of interest. It also provides opportunities to network with other healthcare professionals.

This can lead to opportunities for further education and training, which can enhance their job prospects and salary potential.

Improved work-life balance

Agency nursing can provide an improved work-life balance for Nurses by allowing them to work around their personal commitments.

This flexibility also means that agency Nurses can take time off when they need it, allowing them to focus on their family, hobbies, or other interests. 

Improved work-life balance can lead to reduced stress and burnout, which can be common in permanent nursing positions.

No long-term commitments

Another benefit of working as an agency Nurse is that there are no long-term commitments. Agency Nurses are often employed on a temporary or contract basis, which means that they have the freedom to take time off between assignments or switch agencies if they are not happy with their current employer. 

This flexibility can be very beneficial for Nurses who are looking for short-term employment or who want to try out different healthcare settings before committing to a permanent position.

SCG perks

At Spencer Clarke Group, we also offer fantastic training, sign up and referral benefits to agency Nurses and healthcare professionals. 

With such benefits, you can be rest assured that we’ll be with you every step of the way to provide a first class service. 

Maybe you’re not searching for a new role yourself but you know someone on the lookout? For every successful referral you have the chance to earn up to £250* in vouchers so be sure to pass their details on (*terms and conditions apply and you must have permission to pass any contact details on).

In conclusion, working as an agency Nurse in the UK offers many advantages. 

The flexibility, professional development opportunities and lack of long-term commitments make it an attractive career choice for many healthcare professionals.

If you are a Nurse looking for a flexible and rewarding career, why not take a look at all the latest nursing jobs available or upload your CV now.

Nursing jobs

If you’re searching for your next interim nursing job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available. 

Struggling to recruit Nurses?

As nursing recruitment specialists, we support NHS Trusts, local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs. 

We can supply Nurses across all specialisms of nursing including adult, mental health, children, and learning difficulties.

If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with our nursing specialist, Kaylah Henderson on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.