Why?
I’m always being asked this.
“Why are you a MCG Agency Nurse?”
“Why don’t you want a permanent job?”
“Don’t you have a proper job?”
Proper job?!
I’ve been booked for a long day on ward seven. I start my shift just like everyone else does. Handover completed, patients allocated and prioritised, so down the corridor I go to introduce myself to the first.
“Hello, I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’m a visiting nurse, here to help when the ward needs me”
“Well,” she says “I’m in lots of pain today …” and so my day begins.
Patients don’t care if I’m a visiting MCG nurse or a permanent member of staff - their main concern is that I am able to help.
By the end of the shift, we’ve bonded. She trusts me, she’s feeling comfortable and her pain is controlled. Like any permanent member of staff I document the care-plan for the next nurse on shift whether they’re full-time or from an agency like myself.
Looking at tomorrow’s rota, it looks like I’m on ward two.
I love my job and I choose to be a MCG nurse. But why? Why do I choose not to be permanent? Why do I choose not to be contracted?
The truth is that I have been. I’ve seen both sides, but I honestly prefer the flexibility that McGinley offers me. I can work when I want to, I can take as many holidays as I please… quite frankly I even earn more.
Yes, the new Government capping will affect that extra pay; yes, the changes to limited companies will affect my extra pay and yes I will go back to PAYE. But even after all these changes, I will still earn 50% more than a contracted nurse.
These changes will NOT affect me receiving my holiday pay and will not affect me being paid my overtime.
As a MCG agency nurse, I work to my schedule. I have a dedicated MCG consultant who helps me find shifts based around my diary. I can choose to work fewer hours the week after some tough shifts or, at the drop of a hat, I can move to a completely new location , with new faces or I could simply choose to stay on in a ward that I love... Either way, it’s my decision and a win-win situation.
I even have access to a clinical specialist who is available 24/7 for after those tough shifts or when I just need some guidance. She’s currently helping me through my re-validation which is yet another burden from my shoulders.
And this is why I encourage you to consider becoming a MCG Agency nurse.
Call on 0330 024 1345 or email your CV to hello@mcghealthcare.co.uk to discuss your options with the MCG Healthcare team.
