[nickydwuk]

I first contacted all the agencies I could find. I had a face to face interview with Tonix and they seemed really helpful as did Accent & Geneva. Although I filled out the forms for Tonix & had the interview I did not ask them to start job hunting as it was over a year before we were planning on moving. The information all three gave me has been invaluable.

In the summer (UK) Geneva mass mailed all on their books about vacancies coming up at Christchurch hospital and offered face to face or telephone interviews for all concerned. So without a face to face interview with the agency a phone interview was arranged with the DHB. The agency carried out phone references with my referees and after my interview they contacted me the next day and gave me the good news.

It was painless and very easy. I know that Christchurch hospital is not an easy one to get into as they have such a high demand for places so without the agency I don't think I would have got the job. However I have not been given any help with relocation and from what I can make out if you go direct to the DHB's you may get a better relocation package as they will not have to pay an agency fee.

All DHB's advertise their vacancies on their websites and many seem to have open vacancies for registered nurses. However if you go down this route you will have to apply to each DHB individually and I am not sure whether getting the references would be just as easy or not. Maybe others who have gone direct to the DHB's may be able to give you better advice.

If you want hassle free job hunting then I would suggest go with an agency - as to which one that is personal choice.

Good luck