Soon to be RN from Canada, looking at the US

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Hey guys, I looked around the site for a while and this is the only forum I could think to put this in. I apologize if it is incorrect.

Okay, well I will be graduating this April with my RN degree. I am currently in Calgary, and I absolutely hate it here :) (only moved here for school anyway). Well it seems like grads only get hired as casuals in Calgary at first, and apparently it's really hard to get a job at other parts of the province as well (fort mcmurray, etc.). Now I used to live in NJ when I was younger, and have traveled throughout the US extensively.

From what I understand, the US is in a similar job crunch, but I also understand that is largely regional. I do not want to sound greedy, but I just completed two bachelor degrees with no parental support, and have about $70,000 in student loans. So can anyone give me advice on what regions/states have the greatest demand for nurses right now? As in what place would I be the most likely to get hired F/T, as well as what would likely offer the greatest overtime. I obviously did not come into the field for the money, but for the first year or two I need to work wherever will offer me the most income, so I can get rid of this enormous debt.

I have no family here, no dependents, and nothing preventing me from moving anywhere.

So does anyone have any ideas? I really am going in this blind as we don't get much info on the US nursing situation from Canada.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

I graduated from York University in Toronto in 2004. I went to a job fair there and was hired full time to work in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They are always hiring there, and you can choose your field (including ED and ICU). Best of luck fellow Canadian!

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Specializes in LTC currently.

:yeah:Here in Chicago,IL nurses here are making plenty of money. As a new grad u should be making no less than $28 per/hour. IF you work at a hospital like Loretto where u can sign in on your off days and work, you should be fine...I know nurses there who are bringing home $3,000 plus after taxes with no dependents. They work a lot of overtime. YOu should also give the nursing home a shot as well here in Chicago. I know my mom work for a nursing home as an RN, and she have a lot of available overtime to work. She almost doubles her regular pay in overtime...some days she be tired as heck from all of the working and she sometimes have to refuse it. The money is there.....Hospitals here are always hiring. Chicago is the place to be. Of course there are other places that pay more for nurses such as Califronia, but the cost of living is much higher there...Good luck in your endeavor.:up:

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Specializes in Home Care.

What is your eligibility to work in the States?

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Specializes in Primary Care Nursing.

Job fairs, as already mentioned, can get your hired on the spot.

Also check out:

americanmobile.com

nursezone.com

nursesrx.com

There's some red tape, but it's doable.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ICU, ER.

Lots of Candians here in East Texas. Come join us!

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Not to be mean and please don't take this wrong. How about staying in your country. As you can tell on this site that new grads and old nurses are having a really hard time finding work. So what makes you think you can just come down here and get a job? i know it sounds mean but were fighting immigration right now as well.

I just think you should if your a Nurse up there you should stay up there and help your fellow man. If there is no work up there it's no better here read the forms there are nurses filling bankruptcy because they can't find work and those who have jobs will do anything to keep them even go on salary and that in it's self is wrong because on salary they can work you like a dog. And would if you can't find a job here what then you go back to Canada or do you stay here and jump on the band wagon like so many and we support you?

Like i said i know it sounds mean but if you read what i am saying you will see its more of a concern then being mean. I would tell you come here and good luck but in this case and unemployment at almost 10% Just worried... These are my thoughts use them as you wish

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Specializes in Primary Care Nursing.
Not to be mean and please don't take this wrong. How about staying in your country. As you can tell on this site that new grads and old nurses are having a really hard time finding work. So what makes you think you can just come down here and get a job? i know it sounds mean but were fighting immigration right now as well.

I just think you should if your a Nurse up there you should stay up there and help your fellow man. If there is no work up there it's no better here read the forms there are nurses filling bankruptcy because they can't find work and those who have jobs will do anything to keep them even go on salary and that in it's self is wrong because on salary they can work you like a dog. And would if you can't find a job here what then you go back to Canada or do you stay here and jump on the band wagon like so many and we support you?

Like i said i know it sounds mean but if you read what i am saying you will see its more of a concern then being mean. I would tell you come here and good luck but in this case and unemployment at almost 10% Just worried... These are my thoughts use them as you wish

If that's the case then be sure to tell your fellow Americans to "stay in your own country" as well.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm so tired of hearing the "why don't you stay in your country?" A nursing degree is portable for all of us. That's the beauty of becoming RN. If you choose to move, the OP chooses to move, or I choose to move, so be it. Jobs are hard to find, so you go where your situation allows. US nurses also come to Canada, and I would welcome anyone here. I would never think "Why did you come?"

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If that's the case then be sure to tell your fellow Americans to "stay in your own country" as well.

Does this mean we should tell the nurses from Texas that we have working up here to go home?

Oh, and OP, you don't trust Steady Eddie's promise to hire at least 70% of the forthcoming graduating classes? It's a far better promise than my graduating class had a decade ago. You do realize that most US hospitals aren't unionized and the benefits and sick leave that we take for granted up here don't exist down south? Yup, we spend more than a few hours explaining the difference between sick leave and vacation time to American imports.

The grass isn't greener over the 49th.

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No jobs here in ca. New grads not finding work!

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Specializes in ICU.

or do you stay here and jump on the band wagon like so many and we support you?

Like i said i know it sounds mean but if you read what i am saying you will see its more of a concern then being mean. I would tell you come here and good luck but in this case and unemployment at almost 10% Just worried... These are my thoughts use them as you wish

Sorry but I am a Canadian but what does " we support you?" mean. We work rightfully, under the propper visas, with all the correct documentation. Excuse me, you do not "support us". Yeah the job market is tighter right now, but there is still a demand for nurses in many areas, in Canada and the US. So the fact that the OP wants to go to the US should not really matter whatever his reasons. He will still pay taxes, he will not collect unemployment, and he will be working. In the free world it is anyones right to find employment where they want to if its legal and all the paperwork is in place. Dont get me wrong, he may have a harder time due to lack of experience but come on, if you had the opportunity to work in the UK, australia, Saudi, Canada ect even just for the sake of broadening your horizons wouldnt you?

To the OP, just be prepared for the paperwork process if your a Canadian Citizen. Still have to take NCLEX, need VISA screen from CGFNS, State licensure, TN visa, it can be a lengthy process sometimes. Northern Cali has good pay, I would just apply anywhere and everywhere, have a great resume hopefully it should work out! Good luck! BTW im from Edmonton , signed on in Alaska, but hard to find jobs here as new grads. Good luck! I know there is alot of issues with Alberta Health care right now from what im reading, kinda glad I left when I did lol. If you have anyquestions, just PM me!

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