Oops, Don’t Do That: Common Mistakes in Your Nursing Agency Application

Are you ready to start working as a casual nurse with a leading nursing agency like First Choice Care? That's a great choice! Agency nursing offers unmatched flexibility, variety, and control over your shifts. But, when applying many nurses unknowingly make small mistakes that can cost them an interview. 

To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve compiled a list of the most common (and easily avoidable!) mistakes nurses make when applying for casual work. 

Typos & Incorrect Contact Details 

Imagine this: You’ve submitted your application, your experience looks great, but when the recruiter tries calling you calling... the phone number doesn’t work. Or worse, your email address is missing a letter, and you miss that interview invite. Fortunately, these are easy to fix.

Common mistakes: 

• Incorrect phone number or email address 
  
• Not checking voicemails or unknown numbers 
  
• Emails from the agency going to your spam folder 

Double-check your contact details before hitting submit. A small typo in your phone number or email can mean missing out on an interview. Make sure your voicemail is set up too and remember to check them. 

Not Meeting the Minimum Clinical Experience Requirement 

Unlike graduate programs or permanent hospital roles, casual nursing jobs require applicants to have a minimum amount of clinical experience. This is to ensure that agency nurses can step into different healthcare settings with minimal supervision. 

Common misconceptions: 

• Thinking that newly graduated nurses can apply without any post-grad experience 
  
• Assuming that clinical placements during university count toward the required hours 
  
• Forgetting to clearly list your experience on your CV
• First Choice Care typically requires nurses to have a minimum of 12 months of recent clinical experience in their specialty (this can vary based on role and location). 

Before applying, check that you meet the minimum experience requirement listed in the job ad, this experience is clearly stated in your CV and you're able to provide evidence of this experience. If you’re unsure, reach out to the First Choice Care recruitment team! 

Sending a CV That’s Too Long (or Too Short) 

Your CV should highlight your nursing experience, skills, and qualifications clearly and concisely—but many applicants go wrong here: 

Too much detail: Listing every duty from every job you’ve ever had can overwhelm recruiters. 

Too little detail: A bare-bones CV that just lists job titles without responsibilities or specialties may not stand out. 

Ideal CV length: 1-2 pages, with clear sections on qualifications, clinical experience, and key skills. 

Bonus Tip: Tailor your CV for agency work by including: 

• Years of experience in each role (e.g., “XXX hours in an acute ward”) 
• Range of settings you’ve worked in (e.g., hospitals, aged care, community) 
• Specialised skills (e.g., ICU, paediatrics, wound care) 

Using a Generic or Outdated Cover Letter 

Cover letters are not always required but if you do choose to send a cover letter keep it brief and personalised. Mention why you’re interested in agency nursing, your flexibility, and what you bring to the team, this is especially important if you are new to working as an agency nurse. 

If you have specific preferences, such as type of facility or shifts, the cover letter is a great place to include that information. 

Conclusion 

Getting your application right is the first step to starting your journey as an agency nurse. With these tips, your application is sure to stand out and get you through the recruitment process quickly.

Ready to join First Choice Care, Australia’s most supportive nursing agency? Check out our current roles or register your interest here.