ProNurse

Bottom line is I've decided I'm not earning enough and as I've  no desire to put in hours of overtime, contract work would seem to be one answer to this (ie work around the country on contracts of 2-6 months at a time). The benefits are clearly that the money is a lot better - though you do of course have extra expenses, plus you are free to be a nurse and not get burdened by all the other extra duties we're expected to take on as a ward nurse (H&S, Fire Rep, endless staff meetings, Infection control and so an ad nauseum).  I also hate the office politics, gossip and backbiting which seems to be endemic when holding down a "regular" nursing job.  There is also the benefit of being able to choose when you work - so that'll be Xmas and New Year off every year for me instead of the usual leave embargo that comes into force at that time.

Downsides are that I guess you can never be guaranteed work; I'll be working away from my family and depending on distance I may not be able to get home for days off that often. I could also be sent somewhere I hate  - though by all accounts you are not forced to stay if it's not working out.

I have a friend who does it and is doing very well: band 5, on target to earn around £50k in his first year and doesn't work more than 37.5hrs a week.  But is he the exception to the rule?  So, has anyone ever done this kind of work, or is doing it now.  How did you find it?  What do you find to be the up and downsides?