Working for us

Working for the Guild

At the Scottish Nursing Guild, we’re looking to recruit agency workers who:

Can pick up shifts at the last minute, with only an hour’s notice given on some of our shifts

Have sound clinical skills

Demonstrate a commitment to delivering high-quality care

Demonstrate a caring and compassionate nature, treating patients, carers, and relatives with respect, dignity, and kindness

Foster a culture of openness and honesty, communicating effectively with the Guild’s staff, clients and patients

Demonstrate integrity and work within their individual competencies

Integrate easily into new teams and be an asset during each shift

Are flexible and willing to travel long distances to support clients

Are reliable and punctual, committing to any accepted booking

Are willing to travel across counties and work with multiple clients when work is available

Are adaptable if requested to support a different ward or department when on shift

(within reason, such as moving to an area you are skilled/comfortable to work in)

All agency workers must be able to work without direct supervision in the area they are placed. Our comprehensive referencing system provides evidence that our workers are suitably skilled to work in the clinical area we are placing them into. By doing this, our clients can be confident we are providing an agency worker who is competent to work as part of their team as soon as they walk onto the unit.

All agency workers must be authorised to work in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Agency nurses, midwives and HCAs must have a current and unrestricted NMC/NMBI or HCPC registration.

Applications to join the Scottish Nursing Guild will be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and/or Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 Ireland and, as such, it will be necessary for a submission of a PVG check (Scotland only), Access NI (Northern Ireland only) or Garda Vetting (Republic of Ireland only), to check for any previous criminal cautions or convictions.

Shifts in my local area

We often receive questions from prospective applicants wanting to know if we have regular shifts available in their local area. Whilst many agencies recruit locally to fulfil contractual agreements with local hospitals, the Scottish Nursing Guild is different.

We work with hospitals in times of need, when no other agency can support them. We do this by mobilising nurses from across the country, often at very short notice. We have a team of nurses available and ready to be deployed whenever they’re needed, often travelling miles to support clients in some of the most remote parts of the country.

Working for the Guild is about embracing variety. One day you could be working 5 miles from your home, the next day it could be 50 miles, so it’s important that you’re flexible. Explore the country, work in places you never thought you would, and meet new colleagues who will teach you things you never knew. In return, you’ll be paid the best rates around.

If you’re willing to take the next step in your agency nursing career, jump on board with the Scottish Nursing Guild. We’d love to welcome you to our team and we’re certain you won’t regret it!


What our recruitment process involves

We need to be absolutely certain you have the skills to hit the ground running and to integrate easily into an unfamiliar team. Here’s what you should expect when registering to join the Guild:

  • Initial screening review
  • Referencing based on individual experience, with a completed competency checklist from a senior referee
  • Digital face-to-face or recorded interview, all undertaken or assessed by a registered nurse
  • Verification of identity documents, including ‘Right To Work’ evidence in line with current Home Office guidelines, NHS Employers’ Standards, Department of Justice and Equality and the Health Service Executive
  • Completion of a PVG check (Scotland), Access NI (Northern Ireland) or Garda Vetting (Republic of Ireland)
  • Occupational health assessment and evidence of immunisation in line with current ‘Green Book’ and HSE guidelines, including EPP requirements as applicable to the deployment area
  • Up-to-date evidence of practical competency training for Basic Life Support and Manual Handling
  • Evidence of educational certificates for advanced and specialist roles


We ask a lot from you, but we’ll be here for you throughout your time with us. Take a look at our benefits package here.