Meet Vicky Langridge

What do you love about Aussie Locums?

The inclusive feel of the team, everyone wholeheartedly supports each other.

What is your greatest source of enjoyment in your job?

The connections I forge with candidates and clients are truly rewarding. From the very first discussion about the world of travel nursing to witnessing their growth and success in diverse settings, I cherish every journey our nurses make.

Engaging with nurses, guiding them through their career journeys, and seeing them thrive brings me immense joy. Similarly, assisting clients in remote areas, aligning them with the ideal nurse, and witnessing their gratitude for our support and the caliber of nurses we offer is incredibly fulfilling.

Where do you feel you add value to candidates who are looking for work?

As a nurse by trade, I have been rocking scrubs and dodging bedpans in the world of Aged and Acute Care since I was sixteen. I have seen it all. Picture me: the Florence Nightingale of the modern age, clutching onto bathroom breaks like they are golden tickets to a nurse’s paradise. I’ve been the nurse with a patient load heavier than a sack of bricks and held it together through six-hour toilet breaks that felt like marathons. So, when it comes to hooking up my fellow nurses with dream jobs, I am not just chatting—I’ve tap-danced a marathon in those trusty black leather kicks. I get it, I relate, and I am here to make sure you find a role where your feet don’t ache quite as much at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to candidates from overseas who are looking to work in Australia?

Back in England, I kickstarted my nursing journey, but it was here in the Land Down Under that I truly found my groove. After my studies I embraced the Aussie spirit and never once glanced back. Along the way, I embarked on an exhilarating journey as an agency nurse, traversing through a myriad of various locations and healthcare settings.

From the countryside of Yorkshire to the sun-kissed shores of Australia, my nursing path has been one heck of an adventure. I followed my dream and do not have a single regret.

And now, as I pave the way for fellow nurses to find their dream roles, I bring that same excitement and passion to the table.

If you have a dream to work in Australia, just go for it. Remember, Australia is a huge country so be flexible as to where you are open to work. Don’t just aim for city locations, go further afield into Regional and Rural locations, as these locations are the real Australia and you will learn a lot, not to mention how friendly the people are.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your career?

When I ventured into the world of recruitment 8 years ago, I will confess, I was as green as grass. My boss at the time saw potential in my nursing background and took me under her wing. Her very first piece of advice still resonates with me: communication is the cornerstone of success in this field. Whether it’s a candidate anxiously awaiting news about if they have landed their dream travel job or a client in a remote outpost holding their breath for an RN to fill roster gaps, the waiting game can be stressful. That is why I’ve made it my mission to maintain an open, dependable line of communication with every candidate and client I work with.

If you asked a client to describe you, what would they say?

I’d like to think that my clients see me as more than just a recruiter—I’m their recruitment partner and they would say I am someone who genuinely cares.

When I connect with clients, I don’t just focus on filling roster gaps; I take the time to understand their business, their location challenges, and like to get to know them personally. It is about building a relationship that goes beyond transactions.

My clients love that I have worked in the nursing field and would say that I understand that it’s not just about numbers; it’s about recognizing that when a roster isn’t filled, it’s the patients who suffer, and the staff on duty who end up stretched thin with an increased workload. I have seen it firsthand, and that’s why I’m passionate about supporting my clients.

What is the most unusual work-related task you have ever had?

This one is not unusual, it was more about the challenging and exciting quick turnaround.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a typical Friday afternoon, my desk suddenly resembled a tornado in a teacup. A client called in urgent need of an Aged Care/Community RN for an Aboriginal community in Normanton, Queensland, and she needed someone on the ground by Monday morning. Why the rush, you ask? Well, it turns out their original nurse made a quicker exit than a cat at bath time upon realizing the location was not her cup of tea.

To add a cherry on top of this whirlwind, most of our nurses were already out on assignment, and a few were not overly keen on the remoteness of the contract.

With time ticking away, I remembered one of our superstar RNs was on her way back from an overseas trip. I contacted her with every form of communication known to humanity (and perhaps a few unknown ones) – from friendly voice messages to polite carrier pigeon drafts (just kidding, but almost).

Just when I was about to send out the avian messengers, she called! Having landed amidst the electronic commotion, she declared herself ready to dive straight back into action after her month of R & R and was thankful that I had reached out to her.

And just like that, by Sunday afternoon she was on the ground in Normanton, she was ready to don her scrubs and ready to be our hero of the day. It was a whirlwind of chaos turned into a tale of swift resolution, proving once again that even the most chaotic situations can have a silver lining – or in this case, a superhero in scrubs!

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment of your career?

During my tenure with a nursing agency, I had the privilege of partnering with Queensland Health.

It was during this time that I received a memorable call from a Nurse Unit Manager stationed in the remote reaches of Julia Creek, Queensland. They urgently required an experienced RN for a substantial 2-year nursing assignment. With careful consideration, I successfully matched them with an ideal candidate who seamlessly transitioned into the community.

Fast forward a year later, having embarked on a new role directly with Queensland Health at my local hospital, I was pleasantly surprised by an unexpected delivery. A bouquet of exquisite white roses accompanied by a bottle of champagne arrived at my ward, bearing a card expressing heartfelt gratitude “Celebrating one year in Julia Creek today, thank you.”

The gesture touched me deeply, affirming the significance of my efforts in facilitating opportunities for international nurses to thrive in Australia. It was a heartwarming reminder of the impact of genuine support and the bonds forged through professional endeavors.

Is there a client, candidate or project that stands out?

One candidate who will always hold a special place in my heart is a female RN originally from India. She had been working as an Aged Care RN in New Zealand and had a dream of relocating to Australia.

Her unique qualities shone through from our first conversation after she applied for a role, I was recruiting for my Atherton based client.

Just 8 weeks later, she was sponsored, and I found myself meeting her and her husband in Cairns. Together, we embarked on the journey to Atherton, where I assisted them in settling into their new life in a new country. From picking up rental keys to shopping for essentials and that memorable first trip to Woolworths, I was there every step of the way.

Now, in 2024, this couple still resides in Atherton. They have purchased land, built a home, obtained Australian citizenship, and welcomed two beautiful children into their lives. Witnessing their incredible journey unfold has been a joy, and knowing I played a small role in it makes their story even more special to me.