Ontario New Grad Initiative, but graduate years ago

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So here's the story. I failed my first two attempts of CRNE and basically just got my license on November last year. It has been two years since I graduated (2011) but technically I have not taken advantage of the New Grad Initiative since I haven't really worked since.

I know this would sound a little silly but is there any way for me to somewhat "claim" that initiative now that I finally am looking for my FIRST job since i graduated? I did try to look at the government website and there was absolutely no information. Upon contacting the phone number on the government site they said to refer back to the website...which funny enough tells you that if you have further inquiries to call them. (it's a never ending loop to nowhere).

I am just very concerned because I have nothing to show for my bedside nursing experience within these past years, new grads not only are they fresh out of school, they have the initiative to back them up. The competitions getting tighter and I just have no chance. I am however trying to acquire a few courses but they are nothing compared to REAL experience. :(

Any advice?

I believe you are no longer eligible for the NGGI, however please call HFO to confirm. Call their 416 number if you are within the GTA and you should get a live person easily who will be able to answer your question. Have you been applying since you received your pass result in November 2012?

Either way congratulations on passing and I wish you success of your job hunting!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Your hiring manager can still send a request to HFO for the funding even if it is beyond the expiration date of the grant. A colleague of mine did that. But I am not sure if there has been changes since she got her license the end of 2012 and she got the job after that... So I say give it a go and mention it to your interviewer if they hesitate on hiring you due to lack of experience and the amount of time it would take to train you.

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Specializes in L&D, med/surg, ER.
Your hiring manager can still send a request to HFO for the funding even if it is beyond the expiration date of the grant. A colleague of mine did that. But I am not sure if there has been changes since she got her license the end of 2012 and she got the job after that... So I say give it a go and mention it to your interviewer if they hesitate on hiring you due to lack of experience and the amount of time it would take to train you.

Electricblack, thanks for posting this thread because I'm in the exact same situation. Just wondering how it turned out for you? Have you been able to find work? I had an interview yesterday at a nursing home but it doesn't look like I'll be getting the job (seeing how I didn't know the answer to some of what was being asked :( )

Have you finally found a job? How did you go about it?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Hey Marie I am currently working and just finished my orientation without the hfo help. I just found out about the possibility of request after I got the job. Interviews were nerve wrecking but I applied everywhere and landed a few that I really didn't want but still showed up for the interview to see what questions are asked. I got the job for almost all of them haha with the help from the forums here about interviews... Honestly they're essentially similar with some specifics about the unit or job your going into.

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Specializes in L&D, med/surg, ER.
Hey Marie I am currently working and just finished my orientation without the hfo help. I just found out about the possibility of request after I got the job. Interviews were nerve wrecking but I applied everywhere and landed a few that I really didn't want but still showed up for the interview to see what questions are asked. I got the job for almost all of them haha with the help from the forums here about interviews... Honestly they're essentially similar with some specifics about the unit or job your going into.

Oh my god CONGRATULATIONS I guess there is hope for me after all ... You mentioned a request? What request are you talking about? Any help you could offer me?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Hello Marie, I was referring to your hiring manager to send a request to HFO and they approved a colleague of mine for it. You and try telling your hiring manager that but all I can say is go to as much interview as you can....it'll really help boost your confidence doing it and you'll realize that some and maybe most of their questions are very similar.

You won't get every job interview you land and that's fine. If they tell you that they'll let you know in a week or so...I'd still continue applying for other potential jobs. Don't lose hope, my sister and I went thru the same thing and her advice was, when it rains... It pours and with the call backs I didn't get any until a lot later on she had to wait for over a year and shes still getting call backs from old applications. =)

Just make sure to look at the job qualifications and that you are incorporating that into your cover letter. (make sure to edit your cover letter, I accidentally addressed one of my old application to a new one and they still called me haha).

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Just to add... It took me a long time (half an hour or longer) to apply for a job mainly because I edit it for that job. And I say do the same. Yes, applying to many jobs count a lot... but make sure each application (cover letter and resume) is worth lookin into. If you keep sending mass applications with generic informations then it's pointless.

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Specializes in L&D, med/surg, ER.
Just to add... It took me a long time (half an hour or longer) to apply for a job mainly because I edit it for that job. And I say do the same. Yes applying to many jobs count a lot... but make sure each application (cover letter and resume) is worth lookin into. If you keep sending mass applications with generic informations then it's pointless.[/quote']

electricblack thank you for your inputs... It's funny cuz all the things you mentioned I do do that when I send resumes. :)

Also I found temp work through a friend who referred me for a flu clinic nurse. It's temp work and lasts for about five months. I won't get much hrs but I was just looking to get my foot in the door. I hope to find something with steady hrs down the line.

Also did you say you were from Toronto?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I was in Toronto but had to move to just find a job and maybe gain enough experience to move back again in a few months or years or who knows I might like it here where I'm working now haha. Its very important to do nursing work... Hell even a PSW job (but no one will hire you as a PSW knowing that you're on the process of finding an RN job). Because on a few of my interviews I got asked if I did any nursing jobs since I graduate and I didn't... And it was hard to answer the question without sounding like I didn't try at all (and you know you did). They want to see that you took courses or you did something nursing while waiting for a proper job... They want to see commitment to the field I guess.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Just an update. I found out from fellow co-workers that if the company is really willing to hire you and they are participants in the NGI program, they can send a request for finance and consider you in the NGI....EVEN if it is beyond 6 months after you graduate, given that this is your first job out of school. I however did not need it because I already acquired a full time position. My colleague who told me this is currently under her NGI. The only problem with this is that once it is over, you do not acquire any seniority throughout the time that you are with the company. So yes they MIGHT hire you given that they already gave you extensive time to learn from them...BUT if there are other applicants who have seniority in the organization, they are required to hire that person over you.

To those that are reading this and are currently in the position that I was 6 months ago, keep at it. It's hard work, monotonous, and at some point you might consider giving up...but when people eventually start responding to your applications they seem to respond all at once. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I just got hired with the new grad initiative...I'm really hoping I get hired after the 6 months (that's what I'm worried most about!) :unsure:

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Got hired under HFO too for six months and halfway through. Kinda worried if I can get a job after the program ends.

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