This advice sheet from VetNurse Jobs and Ali Hickman RVN contains hints and advice for anyone who is working as, or thinking of working as a veterinary nurse locum.  

Getting work 

You can either market your services directly to practices, or register with an recruitment agency. There are pros and cons either way:

Going direct is good when:

• You want to maximise your earnings
  Agencies charge a fee. By marketing your services direct to practices you can cut out the middleman, thereby potentially earning more and/or saving the practice money (making yourself a more attractive proposition in some cases).
• You are already familiar with and trust the practices you’ll be working with.
• You'd like to work in local practices to whom you can market your services easily.
• You are comfortable running your own books and paying your own tax, or have a book keeper or accountant to do that for you.

Agencies are good when:

• You want maximum financial security / safety
  Agencies bill the practice on your behalf and collect the money. You might also find it comforting that they know the practice you're going to, and someone knows you are there!
• You are new to locuming
  A spell with an agency will help you find your feet.
• You want to work further afield
  Agencies may be more likely to be able to offer you opportunities outside your local area (which might be harder for you to find).
• The practices you want to work for require locums to be sourced via an agency
  Some corporates and charities only or mainly use agency staff.

Going direct AND using an agency

• If you want to find jobs both by approaching practices direct, AND via an agency, make sure you have agreed this (in writing) with the agency (clearly setting out which practices you will be working for direct).

What to charge?

Rates depend on a number of factors:

• The area of the country you work in
• The job you do e.g. specialist work will usually command more than, say, general practitioner work
• The hours worked. For example, for OOH or public holidays you may expect to be paid more per hour than for a normal working week day
• How much you can negotiate! Never under-sell yourself but don’t price yourself out either.

You will need

• Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) Insurance
  Did you know that there are two separate insurance covers that you need to consider to protect yourself?
  • Negligence
    Is normally provided automatically by the practice you are working at; so long as they have their own VDS cover. If they use an alternative insurer, you need to check if you are covered.
  • Criminal and disciplinary procedures.
    Is NOT provided by the practice unless you are named on their policy (highly unlikely).
    
    So, for cover to support you in the event of a criminal or disciplinary procedure, you need to have your own policy.
    It costs around £40 per year. Visit https://www.thevds.co.uk/ 

• Dosimeter Badge
  Do you have your own x-ray radiation dosimeter badge? If not, do you keep a record of your ‘global’ exposure as you travel from location to location? No? You should, otherwise how do you know what your on-going exposure is? It’s hopefully zero but, if you don’t know, it might NOT be.
  
  TIP: Visit http://www.jakmarketing.co.uk/ to find out about setting up your own dosimeter badge account (costs around £15 per year).
• Stethoscope
• Name badge
• Thermometer
• Calculator
• Notebook and pen
• Scrubs
• Theatre cap and indoor footwear
• Fleece or body warmer
• Neat and tidy greens
• Watch with second hand
• Reliable car with breakdown cover and ‘onward travel’ option. 

Statutory Sick pay

If you are self-employed, you are not entitled to statutory sick pay, and no worklng means no income!

It is therefore sensible to have a back-up or contingency plan in place for the times you cannot work. For example, put aside a minimum of one month’s normal income in a savings account; strictly to be used for this purpose and top it up again if it ever gets used or when your normal monthly bills increase.

What if you can’t work?

Again, it is very practical to have a financial buffer that will provide you with an income for a lengthy period of unemployment due to, for example, ill health, an accident or some other unforeseen disaster.

You will need to see a professional advisor for help if you decide to set up a formal income protection plan.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/personal-insurance-when-youre-self-employed 

Allowances

You are entitled to maternity allowance (https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/eligibility), and Paternity Pay and Leave for your partner (if they are employed):  https://www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/overview