is there a nurse shortage in canada?

Beausud,
I know that here in Ontario most hospitals are scrambling for cash however I also know that the Minister of Health is pretty committed to keepin frontline nursing jobs. So although we may see some hospitals cutting services, I think most will not cut nursing jobs. That said I know of at least one hospital that is so deeply in debt now is threatening to cut jobs. Just the usual tug of war between hospitals and the Ministry about money!
So to answer you question, yes I do see jobs available, but maybe not as many as in the spring.

There are jobs available. The only issue is what types of jobs (specialties vs med-surg) and what type of experience they require.

Beasud, if you have any experience and are willing to work in those areas I can't imagine you would be unable to find a job when you move back to Canada. You might have to settle for casual, but I'm sure you'll find work. The people who have trouble finding jobs seem to be new grads, or those who want a certain popular specialty without any experience, or those in smaller towns without more than one hospital. Everyone I know with experience has been able to find work when they've moved.

i think it really depends upon where you're looking for work... i'm a new grad who just moved to Alberta in May... i had a full time position within a week of being there and have been offered several more since... i'm currently working a part time position (my choice to cut back on hours because i'm doing a Critical Care course) with tons of overtime...

where i was living before in Eastern Ontario, it was starting to look like the only thing i was going to find were casual positions... i sent out a ton of resumes with no response... those same resumes were gold in Alberta! i have friends from nursing school and work who have found work in B.C., Ontario and Newfoundland... but most of them have been casual...

beth

Hi
I don't know about the situation in general, but I was able to find work easily in Montreal, even as a new grad (direct-entry master's). I started with a temporary full-time position but was offered permanent full-time as soon as one came up (a week after i started!). I'm on a medical floor in a Children's hospital.
Other people I graduated with have also been able to find full-time work quite easily in different areas (oncology, neuro surg, transplant, NICU). Be aware of the French requirements if you're planning to come to Quebec, though!
Good luck!

i am in montreal too. I am thinking about entering a nurse program and mcgill is one of my choice. I have to start fall 2005 and I am not sure whether a MSN 3 years is better than BSN 2 year program. Is it hard to get in?

Thank you.