Moving from Toronto to Vancouver

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2016

You should prepare to enter a job market that continues to be impacted by an economic recession and a nursing surplus cycle. You will need to be realistic about the job market and recognize that most new grads are not being offered jobs automatically after graduation and very few are being offered jobs in their area of choice. Make a plan to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other new grads who will be competing with you for jobs. Consider volunteering with a children's health care related charitable organization, join a professional association, help with research, any other activities that you can do now, that will help your resume stand out later.

Nstudent99 · Aug 8, 2016

Thank you for the quick reply!

Yes I totally agree with what you are saying. I have done research at SickKids, presented my work at paediatric conferences, volunteered at paediatric clinics, and currently am working with children with special needs at a summer day camp. I am trying very hard to stand out from the thousands of other new grads.

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2016

It's great that you already have experience with volunteering, research and work. If you are offered a job in Toronto, I recommend you stay at least two years in order to gain clincal competence, then consider moving to Vancouver. Many new nurses find the learning curve during their first year of work is very steep and exhausting. You may find it easier to maintain a healthy work life balance, if you are able focus your energy on professional growth and do not have to deal with the stressors and distractions of adjusting to living in a new city on top of being a new grad.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 8, 2016

My unit is one that seems to buck the trend. We're hiring new grads - 5 of them have just started and one student who is still on her senior practicum already has a position - and we're hiring externally at times. And we're expanding from 25 to 36 beds so there will be several vacancies opening up in a few months. So it's not ALL black.

Nstudent99 · Aug 8, 2016

Thank you both for your replies!

I had the same idea in mind as the one dishes suggested. I thought it may be best to work for a year or two here in Toronto and then consider moving.

However while I am looking for jobs in the spring, I don't think it would hurt to contact the BC new grad transition program to see if I qualify.

Nstudent99 · Aug 8, 2016

On a side note, do you have any more tips on what I should do in my final year to attain more paediatric experience?

In an ideal world, I would have my consolidation on a paediatric floor however at Ryerson we do not have a choice in which speciality we are placed. There is a high chance I will end up in a nursing home or other non paediatric unit. I, of course, can try to explain how transferable many of the skills are, however I was told that the job often goes to individuals who have experience working on the unit that they are applying to.

It's a bit of a bummer.

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2016

Sometimes the job goes to a grad who had their final preceptorship on the unit, sometimes it goes to a grad whose volunteer or research placements gave them valuable references who networks with nursing unit managers on the new grads behalf. I don't know where you volunteered and did research in the past, but if you do a volunteer a/o research position for the upcoming school year, at either Sick Kids or Bloorview kids Rehab, it may help with possible job connections.

dishes, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2016

When you did your placement at Sickkids last year, did you speak to the unit manager and one of the nurses about your interest in working there? Did you get permission to contact them after you graduate and their contact info?

dayandnight · Aug 8, 2016

best recommendation for you is to contact Healthmatch BC. Lots of BC rural areas and also outside-of-vancouver areas are hiring even new grads. Healthmatch BC is a government-owned website designed to recruit healthcare professionals to needed areas in all of BC. They also hold job fairs in Toronto during the year and I recommend you to visit them in person.

Nstudent99 · Aug 8, 2016

I did my SickKids placement this spring (that just passed), which is where I did my research. I am still in touch with everyone I worked with and they are all aware of my interest in working there. One of the Associate Chiefs of Nursing recommended that I meet with her in September to discuss what my plan will be in the case I do not get a final consolidation in SickKids. That is very helpful to me! However, I feel like perhaps I should add more to my resume. I am currently taking your advice and researching children's health care related charitable organizations I can volunteer with. I am even considering going on a MEDLIFE trip to volunteer in Peru.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 8, 2016

SickKids isn't a unionized facility so you may have a better chance of getting in there once you graduate. Another thing you can do is see if they have placements for employed nursing students, like some other places do. You would work part time as a nursing assistant on one of their units, getting more experience and more connected as you go. Bloorview might be an option for that too. The only qualm I'd have about a medical mission is that it might be considered a gimmick, rather than a dedicated pediatric focus.