Experiences of community nurses with temporary contracts in NHS trusts

Background: Temporary staffing to fill gaps in community nursing is a common practice in the UK. Specific figures for agency nurses working in community nursing remain unknown. However, both evidence-based and anecdotal reports suggest several reasons why nurses choose agency work, including greater flexibility and financial incentives.

Aims: The study explores why community nurses with temporary contracts may join an adult community NHS trust and what would influence their retention.

Methods: This study used a qualitative exploratory approach with semi-structured interviews, analysed using the framework approach.

Findings: A total of four participants were recruited from an urban and coastal NHS trust. Ten themes were identified, which influenced the decision of nurses with temporary contracts to join or leave an NHS organisation.

Conclusions: Community nurses with temporary contracts are vital to the provision of community nursing services, especially because of staffing shortages and deferred visits. Without intervention, community nursing is likely to continue operating under a hybrid staffing model, with permanent and temporary staff, as NHS trusts struggle to fill vacancies.