Mini Mythbusters: Agency Edition

(Because sometimes, the loudest voices about agency work… have never actually done it.)

There’s a lot of chatter out there about agency nursing and midwifery — some of it true, some of it wildly exaggerated, and a lot of it… well, said by people who’ve never packed their car for a six-hour drive to a contract.

So let’s do what we do best — clear the air, keep it real, and maybe even laugh a little along the way.

Myth # 1: “Agency nurses and midwives can’t get permanent jobs.”

Ah, the old “agency equals unemployable” myth. In reality, most agency nurses and midwives choose this work. They’re not doing it because they can’t get a job — they’re doing it because they want freedom, variety, and the chance to work on their own terms.

Many of our clinicians are offered permanent positions at the very hospitals and health services they’ve supported on contract. They’re valued because they’re adaptable, competent, and calm in chaos — the kind of people who can walk into a new environment and just… get on with it.

Reality check: Agency nurses and midwives are often the ones services fight to get back, not the ones struggling to get in.

Myth # 2: “Agency work isn’t stable.”

Sure, it’s not the same as having a 12-month contract, but let’s be honest — what’s truly “stable” in healthcare anymore?

Demand for skilled nurses and midwives is constant, across every region, ward, and specialty. What looks like instability from the outside is actually flexibility — the kind that lets you line up contracts around family, study, side hustles, or a much-needed month off.

It’s also a reminder that you’re the boss of your availability. You can plan your year around your life — not the other way around.

Reality check: Stability doesn’t have to mean stuck. The work is there — you just get to decide when and where to take it.

Myth # 3: “You need to be single to work remote.”

Oh, this one’s our favourite. The assumption that you must be single, unattached, and living out of a swag to do remote work. Not true.

We’ve supported couples who tag-team contracts so they can travel together. We’ve had midwives bring partners along (sometimes even helping out at the local clinic). We’ve seen parents negotiate family accommodation or rotate contracts between them so someone’s always home with the kids.

And yes — let’s not forget the fur parents. Dogs, cats, and even the occasional parrot have made appearances in remote accommodation! For many, their pets are their family, and finding a contract that supports that matters. We’ll always try to work with sites that understand the importance of those multi-legged dependents too.

It takes a bit of planning, a lot of communication, and a healthy sense of adventure — but it’s absolutely possible.

Reality check: Remote work isn’t just for the solo adventurers. It’s for anyone brave enough to take their skills on the road (tail-wagging companion included).

Myth # 4: “Agency nurses and midwives make heaps of money.”

This one comes up a lot — usually right after someone hears your hourly rate. Yes, agency rates look higher, but they’re designed to balance what’s missing from permanent employment: no paid annual leave, no sick leave, no study days, and no guaranteed public holiday pay.

Agency clinicians have to be financially savvy. They plan ahead for time off, save for downtime between contracts, and budget for things permanent staff rarely consider — flights, meals, car hire, fuel, and “living away from home” expenses.

And here’s the other truth no one really talks about: what you see advertised on Facebook or job boards isn’t always what you get. That shiny “$100+ per hour” headline might not mention that the rate only applies to certain shifts, or that it’s inclusive of penalties, super, or even tax. Sometimes the “accommodation provided” turns out to mean a shared donga behind the clinic, or “flights covered” only applies from specific locations.

At Kenmore, we don’t play that game. We’ll always tell you what’s actually included, what’s not, and what you can realistically expect.

Because transparency matters — especially when you’re travelling thousands of kilometres to help a community in need.

Reality check: It’s not about making more money — it’s about being compensated fairly for flexibility, professionalism, and sacrifice.

Myth # 5: “Agency nurses and midwives are unreliable or lazy.”

We can’t say this strongly enough: no.

Agency clinicians are often the glue holding overstretched services together. They arrive mid-roster, step into unfamiliar systems, learn new documentation, and hit the ground running — sometimes with little more than a five-minute handover and a smile.

That’s not lazy; that’s resilience. That’s professionalism. That’s courage.

Yes, we all know the odd exception exists — but the majority of agency nurses and midwives are some of the hardest-working, most adaptable people you’ll ever meet. They choose to go where they’re needed, and that’s something to celebrate, not question.

Reality check: Lazy? Hardly. Try walking into a new ward every few weeks and thriving.

Myth # 6: “Agency work is just for early-career clinicians (or I’m too old for agency nursing).”

We hear this one all the time — from nurses and midwives who’ve spent decades in health and think agency work is only for the twenty-somethings with no mortgage, no kids, and a caravan full of freedom. Not true. Not even close.

In fact, some of the most experienced nurses and midwives we work with have transitioned into agency roles later in their careers — and absolutely thrive. They bring decades of clinical knowledge, life experience, and calm-in-a-crisis energy that regional and remote sites desperately need.

Agency work gives them a chance to choose how and when they work, to take a break from hospital politics, and to rediscover why they started in healthcare in the first place. Many find it’s the perfect “third act” of their career — a way to keep contributing meaningfully, while having control over their schedule and lifestyle.

And for those thinking “I’m too old for all that travel” — agency work doesn’t always mean outback tents and long-haul flights. There are metro and regional contracts, short stints close to home, and even hospital-based agency shifts that fit perfectly around semi-retirement, family, or just wanting a slower pace.

Reality check: Agency nursing and midwifery isn’t an early-career experiment — it’s a career stage that fits whenever you’re ready for it. Experience doesn’t exclude you — it’s your superpower.

The Bottom Line

Agency work isn’t a backup plan. It’s not the “easy option.” It’s a career choice that demands adaptability, courage, and commitment — and offers freedom, growth, and meaning in return.

At Kenmore Health Recruitment, we’ve seen firsthand how agency nursing and midwifery can reignite passion, build confidence, and connect clinicians to communities that truly need them.

Because at the end of the day, agency nurses and midwives aren’t just filling gaps — they’re keeping the heart of healthcare beating.

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