I've been reading all nurses for quite some time now out of interest but never decided to make an account until now. I've noticed quite a dismal outlook on employment in Alberta and wanted to share some of my story.
I graduated in April 2013 and after applying to about 50-60 jobs got called for an interview with AHS. Eventually, this led to a part time job (0.4 days, weekends) in Edmonton starting in July with them coming as a completely external (and did not "know" anyone in the system) employee and was quite shocked and happy to have landed same. Worked there until February 2014 when I was interviewed for a full time RN position again in Edmonton with a post secondary institution with **regular office hours!!** (again, completely external, no connections) and have been there since. A few of my friends and others I went to school (plus a couple LPNs moving from private into AHS/Covenant) with have also been able to do similar things since we graduated, so I wanted to say to everyone looking for work here in Alberta not to give up and keep putting yourself out there. Don't give up. It may feel seemingly random how people get called for interviews but maybe writing a tailored cover letter and modifying your resume to fit each position could be a big factor that I and others have noticed. I didn't want this post to seem like "oh yeah well look at me!" but I wanted to put out a positive message on a board that seemed quite bleak in terms of work in Alberta. Thanks.
