Job application- Alberta Health Service website.

lemidora · Aug 18, 2011

It was at Foothills where I was told that. I was definitely taken aback that staff could openly say that. I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything, but just want to put it out there that it still happens where someone can get hired if they know the right people. And I agree with Fiona59- that's exactly what's wrong with the hiring process. Trust me, I would be so happy to apply for jobs only through the website but desperate times call for desperate measures and I'm doing everything and anything I can to get a job- just like everyone else that's looking for a job.

27400 · Aug 18, 2011

It was at Foothills where I was told that. I was definitely taken aback that staff could openly say that. I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything, but just want to put it out there that it still happens where someone can get hired if they know the right people. And I agree with Fiona59- that's exactly what's wrong with the hiring process. Trust me, I would be so happy to apply for jobs only through the website but desperate times call for desperate measures and I'm doing everything and anything I can to get a job- just like everyone else that's looking for a job.

I wouldn't doubt it. The job market is tough so I wouldn't blame other people if they use networking or other "unorthodox" ways to get a job. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Fiona59 · Aug 18, 2011

I've submitted a few apps online through AHS and have heard nothing.
I have a great permanent part-time line with a non-AHS employer. I have plenty of time off to pick up casual shifts with AHS hospitals. How do I get hired on casual if no casual positions are ever posted?

I don't know about Calgary but the Edmonton site does post casual lines. We just had a posting for 20 LPNs in surgical services the other month.

The trick is you have to check the website every day. Even though it say's posting ends on xyz, they don't have to leave it up for that long. I've heard of postings come down in a day because the unit manager complied with posting it on line.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 18, 2011

I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything, but just want to put it out there that it still happens where someone can get hired if they know the right people.

Nepotism does exist. There's no question of that. But... to be hired into most AHS positions, one has to apply online through the website. What happens after that is beyond your control. Even the daughter of the patient care manager has to have a paper trail at the time of hire. If you feel you've been unfairly treated in the hiring process, ask to speak to someone in human resources to see if you have any recourse. If you're a member of the bargaining unit and you've been passed up for someone with fewer qualifications or less seniority then file a grievance.

lemidora · Aug 19, 2011

If you're a member of the bargaining unit and you've been passed up for someone with fewer qualifications or less seniority then file a grievance.

Thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind! (Here's hoping I never actually have to act on it). Until then... back to my applications.

studentchar · Aug 19, 2011

So, I have a question-sorry if this is hijacking the thread, and let me know if you want me to start a new one!

As a new grad, educated out of province, what are the odds that I would get hired as an RN? I see scores and scores of external postings on the AHS website, and that's just looking at Edmonton and area. I spent 10 years in Alberta, miss it very much and still have family there. I am hoping to get work there when I graduate in 2 years. Now I know that no-one can tell the future, and things might change, but is there a chance for a new grad in AB? This is very worrying for me, we'll be moving my family after I graduate, and if I'm moving out to AB and there's no jobs it will be very traumatic for us!

On a related note, what can I do to prepare for the move? Should I contact the union (what is the RN union in AB anyway?) or the college of RNs to see what advice they have?

petethecanuck · Aug 19, 2011

This is a very depressing thread to read for someone who is getting ready to graduate.

That said, the majority of my friends in the BNAT class ahead of me who just graduated were able to secure casual employment at the major hospitals here in Calgary (some even have their own lines now too).

@studentchar Well, the government recently committed to hiring 70% of all AB RN grads. Will that leave room for out of province RN's? Probably, although it may be bit tougher to find a position. If this is where you want to live then just go for it and make it happen!

The South Campus hopsital is opening next year http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2210.asp so there are definitely opportunities here in AB.

Good luck!

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 19, 2011

As you say, no one can predict the future. This province's health care system has been on a roller coaster for years and there's no warning that a big plunge is coming until we're much to close to the peak to slow down. Over the last three years we've gone from aggressively recruiting from other countries around the world to voluntary separation programs and threats of layoff to rapid-hire of 300 new nurses. It seems no one is actually in the driver's seat at the moment; positions have been posted for several units without the units even being aware of it. Our provincial government is in the middle of a leadership race that has many people very worried about the future of our health care system and the potential for a provincial election in the not-too-distant future adds to that. So nobody is going to be able to say with any certainty that there will be jobs for new grads or for well-established staff looking for a change either. The best advice I think is to keep your eye on what's happening. There are always active threads on Alberta's health care system so this is a good place for updates. Plan for your move. Start applying for vacancies before you graduate. Don't actually pack until you've had a favourable response unless your spouse will be able to move directly into a job once you're here. Don't count on any relocation assistance, it's not likely to be there. Start saving for your move now. Do as much of the prep work as you can ahead of time.

The United Nurses of Alberta won't be of much help in finding work or making your move. Their responsibility is to their members, and although they're great at helping in many situations, they're not in the business of finding people jobs or any of the other logistical aspects. They can't do anything for you until you're actually employed. The College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta aren't any more likely to help in your situation either. They may authorize you to write your CRNE here if you're successful at finding a job right after graduation, but other than that, there's not much they'll do. Their major foci are protecting the public from the people who pay them for their registrations, creating arcane regulations for those people to follow and collecting as much money at the earliest possible moment from as many people as they can. (Their main activity after registrations is investigating and punishing their members for sometimes the most unbelievably trivial complaints. The Continuing Competency Program is convoluted, difficult to grasp and entirely subjective. They convinced over 4,000 RNs to renew their registrations more than 2 months before they expire... gaining them 2 months of extra interest on more than $2 million. The rest of us will have to renew a month before expiration because they moved the deadline up by a month a couple of years ago.) You will have to register in the province where you were educated before you can be registered here so you might want to plan accordingly. Our registration year goes from October 1 to September 30. The pro rata differential for mid-year registrations is very small.

It's a huge undertaking that you're looking at. I wish you all the best while you're in it.

studentchar · Aug 21, 2011

Wow, thanks for the honest and detailed response Janfrn!

It's such a shock at how quickly things seemed to change (I worked in support services in a hospital in Edmonton and saw scores of new out-of-country hires, stories of booking overtime shifts, etc.), but at the same time my hubby's profession did the same thing in the same amount of time. I'm really kicking myself for leaving the province for school, on so many levels I think I should have stayed. That discussion is better off left on dysfunctionalfamilies.com though! :lol2:

I will keep my ear to the ground and keep myself informed. Hubby and I wouldn't move unless one of us had a permanent job though, with kids it's just too much of a risk to take in these times of financial turmoil. I think I will contact the college to see what they recommend, but take all info I get with a grain of salt. The stories about huge signing bonuses and moving allowances are just that-stories-until I see some hard evidence in front of me! As for saving for the move, that may not happen anytime soon because of paying for school-but we'll deal with that when/if we get there!

Thanks for the response, I will be keeping an eye on Alberta-related threads here for sure.

Studentchar:nurse:

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 21, 2011

Char, even if all you can put away for your move is $20 a pay cheque, try to do it. When we moved here, after having been a military family for 25 years, we thought we were well-prepared. But there were so many unexpected expenses (including a low-ball quote from the movers that resulted in a more-than-double bill and them holding our things hostage until we borrowed the money to pay them) and delays in receiving the proceeds of the sale of our former home that we were forced to live on our credit cards for more than a month. It was a terrible experience for us (well, me... DH didn't seem to have too many sleepless nights!) so if I can spare anybody any part of that I'll try.

The CARNA registration year is another thing that bit me hard on the rump. I had paid for my registration in Manitoba for that year then had to pay in Alberta as well - when there was no prorated fee. I started my job here on September 9, and already had my renewal demand in the mailbox a week before I'd even set foot in the building. My 2002 Alberta registration was only used for 21 days. So I paid nearly $1,000 for registrations in that year. Now it would be more like $1,500. It's a lot to think about, but it could save you some big bucks in the long run.

MissMcCoy · Aug 22, 2011

Oh my goodness I just had this reply sent to my e-mail....

Hello,

Thank you for your application to Alberta Health Services. At this time, we are requesting that you forward a copy of your resume to be considered for this posting.

Regards,

Human Resources

Both my e-mail AND cover letter were attached at the bottom of the e-mail that they had sent me *Shakes Head*

I just copied and pasted them back to the top and said sorry I thought I had attached them when I sent my application through the AHS website.

Could be a god honest mistake, but right now all I can think is MORONS!

Ryersonnursing2011 · Aug 25, 2011

You see that is what is WRONG with the hiring process at this point in time. Friends of friends or relatives getting hired through the back door. Unless people on the units complain to their unions nothing will ever be done.
Why do you think you see so many people of the same background in some divisions? Laundry in my hospital in nearly all African youngmen (on the shift I work it is entirely made up of young Somalis). The meal delivery people are all of southeast asian background.
You cannot tell me that it was random applications on the website that have resulted in these hirings.

that is not random!