Are you an agency nurse in the UK? Understanding the legal and regulatory framework governing agency nursing is crucial to ensuring your professional registration, your liability cover and your day-to-day compliance are all in order.
NMC registration. Your NMC registration is the foundation. Any reputable agency will check it on every shift. Keep your revalidation up to date and your portfolio current.
Right to work. Agencies are legally required to verify your right to work in the UK before placing you. Make sure your documents are easy to access and not close to expiry.
DBS checks. An enhanced DBS check is non-negotiable for any clinical role. Aston handles renewals as part of our compliance process so you don't have to track expiry dates yourself.
Working time regulations. Agency nurses are covered by the Working Time Regulations 1998 — including breaks, daily rest periods, and the 48-hour weekly limit (which you can opt out of). Reputable agencies factor these into shift planning.
IR35 and tax status. Most agency nurses work as PAYE employees of the agency. Your payslip should show clear deductions and no umbrella-company hidden charges.