The Christmas and New Year period can be a great opportunity for agency nurses and midwives to pick up additional shifts, earn extra income and support healthcare teams when they need it most. But if you’re thinking about working over the holidays, it’s worth planning ahead.
The festive season can bring changes to staffing requirements across hospitals, aged care and community services. While some areas become quieter, others continue operating around the clock. This means the availability of shifts can look quite different from your usual working pattern. So, how can you make the most of the opportunities available while still enjoying the holiday season? It starts with knowing where to look, understanding your options and having a conversation with your HCA consultant.
Where are the opportunities over the holiday season?
Not every healthcare setting experiences the Christmas period in the same way. Understanding how different services operate can help you identify where your skills and experience may be needed.
Public hospitals
Emergency departments and essential inpatient services continue operating throughout Christmas and New Year. However, planned surgeries and some outpatient services may reduce, changing the demand for nursing staff across different wards and specialties. It’s worth speaking with your HCA consultant about which facilities and clinical areas may require additional support, and ensuring your clearances are up to date.
Private hospitals
Some private hospitals may reduce theatre lists or temporarily close certain wards during the holiday period. However, services that remain operational may still require additional nursing support, depending on patient numbers and staffing requirements. If you regularly work at one private hospital, consider discussing alternative facilities with HCA before the holiday slowdown begins. This gives you more time to organise any necessary orientation or approvals.
Aged care
Unlike some hospital services, aged care continues operating every day of the year. Residents still require consistent nursing support, and staff leave can create opportunities for agency nurses to assist existing teams. Returning to facilities you’re already familiar with can also be beneficial, as knowing the residents, routines and environment can help you settle into shifts more confidently.
Community care
Essential community care services continue throughout the holidays, although individual client schedules may change. Some clients may travel, spend time with family or temporarily adjust their support arrangements. Before accepting a booking, make sure you understand the visit requirements, expected hours, travel arrangements and individual client needs. Remember, these are general considerations rather than a guarantee of available shifts. Your HCA consultant can help you understand where opportunities may arise in your area.
Make a holiday work plan with HCA
Whether you’re looking to maximise your income or simply pick up a few additional shifts, having a clear plan can make the holiday period much easier.
Here are a few ways to get organised.
Be clear about your availability
Let your HCA consultant know what you’re hoping to achieve over the holiday season. Are you looking for additional income, maintaining your usual hours or fitting a few shifts around family commitments?
Make sure your availability in eHCA is accurate and include:
- The dates you’re available to work.
- Your preferred shift types.
- Locations you’re happy to travel to.
- Any days or times you’re unavailable.
If Christmas lunch with family is non-negotiable, make sure you keep that time free!
Be open to different opportunities
One of the benefits of working with HCA is having the opportunity to discuss shifts across different facilities and care settings. If your usual workplace becomes quieter, ask your consultant whether there are other suitable opportunities that match your experience and competencies. Moving between healthcare settings may require additional orientation, approvals or specific clinical experience, so it’s best to start the conversation early.
Get your requirements sorted early
Don’t wait until you’re looking for a shift to check whether you’re ready to accept one.
Take some time to review your:
- Mandatory training and qualifications.
- Required clearances and documentation.
- Facility-specific orientation requirements.
- Availability and allocated shifts in eHCA.
Before accepting a booking, make sure you understand the location, duties and shift times. If your circumstances change, let HCA know as soon as possible.
Honour the shifts you accept
Reliability is particularly important during the holiday season, when healthcare teams are working hard to maintain consistent patient and resident care. Only accept shifts you’re confident you can attend. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows can leave facilities short-staffed, place additional pressure on colleagues and potentially affect patient and resident safety. If illness or an emergency means you can’t attend a shift, contact HCA immediately so the team can work on finding suitable cover.
Understand your holiday pay rates
Working on public holidays may provide an opportunity to earn more, but it’s important to understand how your pay is calculated before accepting a booking.
Check with HCA about the applicable rate for your shift, including:
- Public holiday dates and applicable penalty rates.
- How casual loading and other penalties are treated under your employment arrangements.
- How shifts that cross midnight are paid.
Your applicable award or agreement and employment arrangements will determine your entitlements, so don’t assume every public holiday shift attracts the same rate.
Make time for yourself, too!
Picking up additional shifts can be worthwhile, but the holiday season should still leave room for rest, family and the things you enjoy. Consider your travel plans, sleep and recovery time, particularly if you’re working night shifts or balancing commitments with another employer. Be realistic about how much work you can comfortably take on. The goal is to find opportunities that fit around your life, not the other way around.
Start the conversation with HCA today
Making the most of agency nursing opportunities over Christmas and New Year starts with a little preparation. While shift availability can change across different healthcare settings, staying connected with HCA means you can discuss your preferences, explore suitable opportunities and understand what you need to have in place before accepting a booking. Whether you’re hoping to earn some extra income, maintain your regular hours or take a well-deserved break, let your HCA consultant know your plans early. We’re here to help you make the most of the holiday season, on and off the clock.
Reach out to us today to how we can support you to build your nursing career.
