Agency Nursing in Ireland: Is It Right for You?
Nursing can be a deeply rewarding career, but that does not mean every working arrangement will suit you throughout your life. You may enjoy patient care while finding your current roster difficult to manage. You might want additional income, experience in a different setting or simply more choice over when and where you work.
Agency nursing is one option worth exploring. It can offer greater flexibility and access to temporary opportunities, but it is important to understand how the work operates. At Allpro Recruitment, we believe your career decisions should start with what matters to you. This guide explains what to consider before making the move.
What is agency nursing in Ireland?
Agency nursing involves working through a recruitment agency that connects registered nurses with healthcare organisations requiring temporary staffing. Assignments may vary in length, location, setting and shift pattern, depending on the organisation’s needs and the nurse’s qualifications and availability.
Some nurses use agency work alongside an existing job. Others explore it as an alternative to a permanent roster or as a way to gain experience in different environments. It is not necessarily an all-or-nothing career decision.
The right arrangement depends on your circumstances, the opportunities available and the level of income and continuity you need.
Why are nurses considering agency work?
The decision is often about more than earning extra money. For some nurses, it is about finding a working arrangement that allows them to continue doing the clinical work they value.
Research into Irish nurses and midwives highlights a significant distinction between wanting to leave a particular work area and wanting to leave the profession altogether. In the INMO’s May 2026 member survey, 61% of respondents said they had considered leaving their work area in the previous month, while 46% reported feeling pressure to work additional hours or shifts. These findings do not mean every nurse wants agency work, but they help explain why greater control over working arrangements may appeal to some professionals.
More choice over your working hours
Agency work may allow you to express preferences around the days, times and locations you are available to work. This can be useful if you are balancing nursing with family responsibilities, study or another role.
However, flexibility is not the same as guaranteed availability. The number of suitable shifts can vary by location, specialty and current demand.
The opportunity to earn additional income
Some nurses consider occasional agency shifts alongside their permanent employment. Others may be interested in a more substantial agency schedule.
Before accepting work, ask about the applicable hourly rate, any enhancements, holiday arrangements and how payment is processed. Agency work does not automatically mean higher pay than every permanent position, so it is worth comparing the full arrangement rather than relying on advertised headline rates.
Experience in different healthcare settings
Agency work can also provide opportunities to explore different clinical environments, depending on your qualifications and the requirements of individual placements.
If you are considering a change in direction, this may help you understand which settings suit your skills and interests. Your existing experience should be discussed carefully so that you can identify opportunities appropriate to your professional background.
Is agency nursing a good option if you are feeling burnt out?
Agency nursing may offer a different working arrangement, but it is not a guaranteed solution to burnout or unsafe working conditions.
If your current role is affecting your wellbeing, it is worth considering what specifically needs to change. Is it the roster, workload, workplace environment, commute, type of clinical work or lack of support? The answer can help you decide whether agency work, another permanent role, reduced hours or a different setting would be most appropriate.
The INMO’s May 2026 survey reported that more than 39% of respondents felt work was negatively affecting their psychological wellbeing. The same research identified staffing and skill-mix concerns as major issues. These are serious workplace matters, and changing employment arrangements alone cannot resolve every underlying problem.
If you are considering agency work, focus on finding assignments that are suitable for your competence and circumstances rather than simply accepting more shifts. You should also feel able to ask questions about the placement, induction, responsibilities and available support before accepting an assignment.
What should you consider before joining a nursing agency?
A good agency relationship should give you enough information to make informed decisions about your work. Before registering or accepting your first assignment, consider the following.
1. Are there suitable shifts in your area?
Ask what types of opportunities are currently available in your preferred counties and clinical settings. If you need a particular number of hours, explain that clearly.
Shift availability can change, so an honest discussion about current demand is more useful than a general promise of plenty of work.
2. Does your experience match the available roles?
Different healthcare organisations may have different requirements. Your registration, qualifications, clinical experience and recent practice can all affect which assignments are suitable.
If you have worked primarily in community nursing, general practice, a specialist area or outside Ireland, ask how your experience aligns with the roles available. A recruiter should be able to explain what information is needed to assess your suitability.
3. What will you actually be paid?
Make sure you understand the rate that applies to the assignment, including any relevant enhancements and holiday arrangements. Ask when and how you will be paid, and what you need to do to submit your hours correctly.
Clear information before accepting a shift makes it easier to compare opportunities and plan your finances.
4. What support will you receive?
Find out who your main contact will be and how to reach them if you have a question about your assignment, timesheet or working arrangements.
For clinical concerns, ask about the healthcare organisation’s induction, supervision and escalation procedures. A recruitment agency should not replace the clinical governance arrangements of the organisation where you are working.
5. Does the arrangement suit your life?
Think about the hours you want, the distance you are willing to travel and whether you need predictable income. If you already have a permanent job, consider how additional shifts would fit around your existing commitments and recovery time.
The aim is to find work that supports your circumstances, not simply to fill every available day.
How does registering with Allpro Recruitment work?
At Allpro Recruitment, we want to understand the person behind the uniform. That means taking time to learn about your experience, the type of work you are interested in and what you need from your next opportunity.
Our healthcare team supports candidates through registration, required documentation and compliance, while helping them explore roles that may suit their skills and preferences. We recruit across healthcare settings in Ireland and offer both temporary and permanent recruitment services.
The process begins with registering your interest. A healthcare recruiter can then discuss your background, explain the next steps and advise what documents are required. Once the relevant requirements are completed, the team can discuss suitable opportunities as they become available.
You do not need to have made a final decision about changing jobs before starting the conversation. If you are simply exploring agency nursing, you can register to learn more about your options.
You care for others. We care for you.
Register your interest with Allpro Recruitment here.
Tell us about your experience, preferred locations and the type of work you are looking for. Our healthcare team will guide you through the next steps.
What about agency midwifery?
Midwives considering agency work should evaluate many of the same practical factors as nurses, including availability, pay, location and working hours. However, the clinical requirements of maternity services deserve particular attention.
Before accepting an assignment, ask about the specific unit, your responsibilities, the experience required, induction arrangements and the clinical support available. The placement should be appropriate to your registration, competence and experience.
Allpro’s healthcare team can discuss your midwifery background and advise whether suitable opportunities are available. Availability and eligibility will depend on current demand and the requirements of individual roles.
Frequently asked questions about agency nursing in Ireland
Can I work agency shifts while keeping my permanent nursing job?
It may be possible to combine agency work with an existing role, depending on your employment contract, professional obligations and personal circumstances. You should check any relevant restrictions and consider working-time requirements and adequate rest before taking on additional shifts.
Do I need to leave my current job before registering with an agency?
No. You can explore agency opportunities while remaining in your current role. Allpro’s healthcare hub confirms that candidates can register even if they are not actively looking for a new position.
Will I get enough agency shifts to work full-time?
That depends on current demand, your location, specialty, availability and the requirements of individual assignments. No agency should guarantee a particular number of shifts unless it can substantiate that commitment. Discuss your income and scheduling needs with a recruiter before relying on agency work as your main source of employment.
Do agency nurses always earn more than permanent nurses?
No. Rates vary according to the assignment, employer or agency arrangements, and applicable enhancements. Compare the actual rate and overall employment conditions before deciding which option is financially suitable.
What qualifications do I need for agency nursing in Ireland?
Nurses and midwives must hold the appropriate registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to practise legally in Ireland. Individual assignments may also require particular qualifications, experience, training or compliance documentation.
Can I register with Allpro if I am only considering agency work?
Yes. You can register your interest and speak with the healthcare team about your experience and preferences before deciding whether a particular opportunity is right for you.
Your next step does not have to be a big one
You may be ready for a change, or you may simply want to know what other working arrangements are available. Either way, you deserve clear information and the opportunity to make a decision that suits your professional and personal circumstances.
At Allpro Recruitment, our approach is to listen, understand your experience and help you explore suitable opportunities. We know that the work you do matters, and so does the person doing it.
You care for others. We care for you.
Register with Allpro Recruitment here.
Share your details with our healthcare team and take the first step towards exploring your options.
