Licensed RPN in Toronto and can't find a job :(

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Hi all!I am originally from Iran, where I was an RN for 15 years...Then, I moved to Canada in 2009 and settled in NB, where I got licensed as an LPN and found full time work at a nursing home.NB wanted me to jump through too many hoops to get my RN license, so I decided to make a move to Toronto.I have been in Toronto for 1 year now, and already transferred my LPN / RPN license. I have sent out my CV to hundreds of places, but still cannot get one call for an interview.I am registered with 1 agency and usually get called a couple of times a week, but I cannot survive on working so little. Do any of you know any good agencies as well?Does anyone have any idea on how I can get into a nursing home or hospital full time?I will be writing my RN exam in May 2014, so for now I need RPN work.Happy new year!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

The city is saturated with nurses. Even as an Rn you will likely need to look outside of the city.If you can relocate you should have more luck.

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That is awful! Do you think I have any chance at all of finding something?How far out of the city do you think I will have to go?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Think Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton, Niagara. You may need to commute an hour or more and stay overnight. People have had to commute for years now. That's the reality....we've got to go where the jobs are.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Or you can move so you don't have to commute.Have you tried Oakville?

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I know exactly what you are going through living in Toronto that is why I am not living there anymore. I know that moving is not fun but have you thought about moving to the north like the Yukon, Whitehorse? There are more nursing jobs then they know what to do with in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut Territories and Yukon Territory. Nunavut is not a easy place to live and coming from Toronto Yellowknife which is in the Northwest territories is quiet small. The Yukon Whitehorse is the best place to live out of all three but there is a six dollar an hour difference between the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Nunavut pays the most but like I said it is a harsh place to live thats why they load nurses up with money so they will stay or keep coming back. Something to think about.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Yukon I could handle. Nunavut doesn't pay well when you compare the high cost of living and harsh weather. 120 grand is not worth it.

However, I fully agree that in these times you do what you have to do. People need to go where the jobs are if they want money. I relocated to a rural area myself from Toronto, and it has been well worth it.

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I live in Toronto, I lucky enough to get an HFO position in one of the nursing homes in town. The facility has enough staff so they can afford to offer a casual position after my HFO which will end in threes weeks.. I started applying already but I haven't receive any call for interview yet. Can you pls guide me on how to move to another city. which city has more opportunities for RPNsÉ

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I am on the same boat as you, been looking for 1 year now here in Toronto. Do you guys know any recruitment agency that help RPNs get a job? Cannot seem to find one online.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I am on the same boat as you, been looking for 1 year now here in Toronto. Do you guys know any recruitment agency that help RPNs get a job? Cannot seem to find one online.

There is no nursing shortage. Recruitment is not necessary.

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Specializes in AC, LTC, Community, Northern Nursing.

Source Momentum is a temp agency that has nursing positions and is based out of Toronto

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Wound Care.

Hamilton and its surrounding areas are saturated as well. I've been trying for a part-time or another casual RN job for almost a year (currently casual at my work due to positions being cut. WAS part-time with full-time hours). One casual position I applied for apparently had over 100 applications. CASUAL!!! :wideyed: They prefer RNAO membership and they want certifications (oncology, critical care, etc). I am a good candidate but keep losing to more experienced nurses (as per the interviewers). Since there is such a high pool of applicants they are very particular in their job posts. They can afford to be choosy and they know it. To make matters worse most RN positions have been cut and the positions filled by RPNs in efforts to balance the budgets. It is a terrible time to be an RN in southern Ontario. A lot of grads I've spoken to can't even get jobs with their 'Nursing Grad Guarantee' and are either leaving the province or doing other work while trying to 'break into' nursing.

I think you are going to have it worse as an RN. The RPNs/LPNs seem to be fairing better ATM as there are more positions for them in all sectors. I know of RPN friends who have gotten part-time jobs faster and easier than my RN friends.

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