What Nurse Unit Managers Tell Us They Value in Agency Nurses

If you ask most people what makes a great agency nurse, they'll probably say clinical skills. They're right—to a point. Clinical competence is the minimum expectation. Healthcare facilities engage agency nurses because they need experienced clinicians who can provide safe, high-quality care from the moment they arrive. They need nurses and midwives who can step into busy environments, adapt quickly and confidently care for patients with minimal orientation.

Australia's National Nursing Workforce Strategy (2024) highlights the growing workforce pressures across our health system and the ongoing need for a skilled, adaptable nursing workforce. As a result, experienced agency nurses and midwives continue to play an important role in supporting hospitals and health services across the country.

At Kenmore Health Recruitment, we speak with Nurse Unit Managers, Clinical Nurse Managers and workforce teams every day. While every facility is different, the feedback is remarkably consistent.  Here's what they tell us they value most.

1. Experience That Allows You to Hit the Ground Running

This is almost always the first thing managers mention. Agency nurses aren't employed because they're cheaper or easier—they're employed because a ward needs experienced clinicians who can safely support the existing team. That doesn't mean you need to know every policy or every computer system before you arrive. It means having the clinical experience and judgement to quickly understand your environment, prioritise patient care and ask the right questions when needed.

The ability to "hit the ground running" is one of the biggest reasons experienced agency nurses continue to be in high demand.

2. Someone Who Fits Into the Team

One of the biggest myths about agency nursing is that you're simply there to fill a roster gap. The reality is that you're joining an established nursing or midwifery team, even if it's only for a few shifts or a few weeks. Managers consistently tell us they appreciate clinicians who introduce themselves, communicate respectfully, support their colleagues and treat every workplace as if they're part of the permanent team. Technical skills get you through the door. How you work with people often determines whether you're invited back.

3. Adaptability

Every hospital is different. Different documentation systems. Different ward routines. Different equipment. Different expectations. The nurses who enjoy agency work are usually those who are comfortable adapting to change.

Rather than comparing every workplace to the last one, they take the time to learn how each unit operates and adjust accordingly.

4. Confidence to Work Independently—And the Insight to Ask Questions

Experienced clinicians know the difference between confidence and overconfidence. Managers don't expect agency nurses to know every local process. They do expect them to recognise when they need clarification. Asking questions isn't a sign of weakness. It's often one of the clearest signs of a safe and experienced clinician.

5. Flexibility Goes a Long Way

Some of the best agency careers are built by nurses and midwives who are open to new opportunities. That doesn't mean accepting every contract offered. It means being willing to consider different locations, specialties or contract lengths that may help build your experience. Working closely with your recruiter is equally important. The better your recruiter understands your strengths, goals and preferred working environments, the better they can match you with contracts where you'll succeed.

Agency nursing works best when it's a genuine partnership.

6. Reliability and Professionalism

Hospitals remember agency nurses who arrive on time, communicate well, complete their documentation and contribute positively to the workplace. Those are the clinicians managers request again and again.

At Kenmore, many of our nurses receive repeat bookings not because they're the loudest person on the ward, but because they're dependable, approachable and consistently deliver excellent patient care.

7. A Commitment to Learning

Healthcare is constantly changing, and good agency nurses know they never stop learning.

Keeping mandatory competencies current, maintaining CPD and being open to learning something new at every placement helps you become a stronger clinician. Every contract broadens your experience.

Why These Qualities Matter

According to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's 2025 workforce overview, around 60% of employed nurses and midwives work in hospital settings, where changing patient demand, leave requirements and workforce shortages often require flexible staffing solutions.

Agency nurses and midwives play an important role in helping hospitals maintain safe staffing levels, but facilities aren't simply looking for someone to fill a shift. They're looking for experienced clinicians who can integrate quickly into established teams, work safely and make a positive contribution from day one.

That's exactly what the best agency nurses do.

Final Thoughts

Clinical skills will always be the foundation of agency nursing. But from our experience at Kenmore Health Recruitment, the nurses and midwives who build long, successful agency careers all have something else in common. They're adaptable, reliable, communicate well, have a keen willingness to learn and fit naturally into established teams.

Plus - when they finish a contract, the hospital doesn't just ask for another agency nurse—they ask for them.

If you're considering agency nursing, or looking for your next contract, we'd love to help you find an opportunity that matches your experience, your career goals and the type of workplace where you'll thrive.