Locum Path.

Chapter 1

A Comfortable Path That Didn’t Feel Right

My journey into locuming began right after my pre-registration year—a time filled with relief, excitement, and uncertainty all at once. I had a safe job lined up, a path to complete my Independent Prescriber qualification, and a company that valued me. On paper, everything looked perfect. But deep down, I couldn’t see myself staying in a small town, working in the same pharmacy, and seeing the same people every day. I wanted something different—something that would push me, help me grow, and let me truly experience what it means to be a pharmacist.

Chapter 2

Chasing the London Dream

I dreamed of moving to a big city—the dream city of many—London. But with that dream came a storm of questions and fears: How do I even find a job there? What kind of work do I want to do? Am I ready to stand on my own as a newly qualified pharmacist? What if I’m not good enough? Still, the desire to take control of my career and chase my dream was stronger than the fear.

Chapter 3

The Hard Reality of Getting Started

I decided that locuming would be my starting point—a flexible way to find my footing in London while I looked for the right long-term opportunity. But the reality of getting started was far harder than I imagined. I had no idea where to begin. I didn’t understand how to set up a locum account, what documents I needed, or even what half of the requirements meant.

The process felt endless—and, at times, completely overwhelming. I didn’t understand why I needed a new DBS check when I already had one. I couldn’t figure out what the DBS Update Service even was, or why every agency seemed to have slightly different rules. I didn’t know which courses were essential, where to find them, or how to prove I’d completed them. Then came the questions about payments, tax setup, insurance, and agency registration—and suddenly, what I thought would be a simple process turned into a maze of forms, links, and conflicting advice.

Chapter 4

When Giving Up Felt Easier

There were moments I genuinely thought about giving up. It felt like I was stuck in an endless loop of confusion—every time I completed one requirement, another popped up. But deep down, I reminded myself why I was doing this. I wanted independence, flexibility, and the chance to grow. I kept pushing forward, one step at a time, asking questions, researching, and learning as I went.

Eventually things started to make sense. My documents came together, my courses were completed, and I finally got approved by an agency. The day I booked my first shift felt surreal—walking into a pharmacy as a fully independent locum for the first time was both nerve-racking and empowering.

Chapter 5

From Confusion to Confidence

That experience changed everything. It taught me resilience, independence, and confidence—and it inspired me to create this guide. I know exactly how it feels to be where you are now: excited but overwhelmed, ambitious but unsure. I wanted to make something that removes that confusion, answers those endless questions, and helps you start strong without all the frustration I went through.

Chapter 6

What You’ll Find Inside This Guide

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to start your locum journey with confidence—from clear, step-by-step instructions to honest advice drawn directly from real experience. I’ve included practical tools I personally created to make your life easier, like my Locum Rate Calculator, a Mileage Tracker to log travel expenses and maximise earnings, and an Essential Competency Checklist to keep you shift-ready at all times.

Chapter 7

My Promise to You

This isn’t just a guide—it’s the resource I wish I’d had when I started. My goal is simple: to make locuming easy for you, to help you feel confident and capable, and to show you that you already have what it takes to succeed. If I could do it, so can you—and this guide will be with you every step of the way.