Wow...cannot find a job!

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Hello all,

I graduated in December, wrote my exam in January and was officially registered with the CNO as an RPN in early March. I've applied through the NGGI, sent out my own resumes (at least 3 a day for the past few weeks) and haven't heard anything!!

At first I was all about Med/Surg, since that's where I did my final clinical and I LOVED it. Now, I'm beginning to not be so picky...Arggg. I've gone to a resume seminar, had old professors look over my resume, have excellent references from past employment and past professors, yet nothing. I'm worried about losing skills the longer I go without working. Plus, I have bills to pay :(

Is it the wrong time of year? I realize that the provincial budgets are about to be coming out...is that what all the waiting is about or is the job market just that saturated? I know of only a few people that have actually found work (I think they had an inside connection), the rest are getting pretty frustrated with the whole thing.

Thoughts? Ideas? Advice? So worried!! What were your experiences as an RPN new grad and getting hired. What kind of time frames from sending in your resume to the actual phone calls and how many phone calls did you get? Tips?

Update: Finally found a job. It's temporary (6 months) full-time through the HFO. Had the interview in June. Got the job in July. Had to submit health and police checks that I recently just got back (took 11 weeks for the stupid police checks) and start soon. I'm guaranteed part-time after the HFO funding is done. The job is with the government so it's a great opportunity, I'm pleased as punch!

Advice to graduating nurses:

Right before you are done school (the week before exams), get a vulnerable sector police check application signed (only an employer or school can request one) and mail it off. It will take almost three months to get it back.

You should just get your license and be looking for work when it comes....it's invaluable to have a current (within 6 months) one on hand.

I would have been working three months ago had I done it. Don't give it to potential employers unless they actually hire you, because it's so hard to get another one. (but let them know you have a recent one)

Well "sitting in the rainbow", the same thing happening to me a year later. I graduated in Dec, 2013, wrote the exam in Jan, 2014; just got my license like 2 weeks ago. I have been applying for jobs since Dec and I haven't got any calls, which is very discouraging!!!

I really thought it is going to be much easier to find a job!!!

It's so frustrating to hear all the time that "we need more nurses" and new grad nurses can't find jobs, because nobody is willing to hire them!!!!

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

A large part of the problem is that we need more staff but with funding being cut everywhere the employers don"t have the money to hire. My employer just made cuts in staffing even though we were already understaffed.

Ive been registerd for about 10-11 months now, ive had 2 jobs, . IMO you cant be picky you have to take what is available to start buliding up that resume. my first job was with a placement agency, worst job ever but you gotta do what you gotta do. no wim working in a beautiful hospital and all is well. just be persistant, and dont give up. you cant rush fate your time will come just keep handing out thoes resumes.

There is no RPN jobs in Toronto at all. Sent over 150 applications for over few months, no even one interview. New nursing students be aware and don't believe college's lies about nursing perspective (people with connections not included).

Specializes in geriatrics.

The GTA has been extremely competitive and jobs virtually non-existent since 2008 due to all the cutbacks. It's not going to improve either.

If you've applied to that many positions, it's time to consider commuting or relocating. Have someone review your resumes and cover letters as well because these need to be tailored for each area you're applying to.

At this point I am not sure relocating would work. I have applied from Guelph to Collingwood even Thunder Bay, and I'd be willing to move and still nothing. Not one call! My resume has been checked by 3 different professional also. I don't get what is happening, and would have been nice to be prepared for this in school. We lead to believe that most of the students get hired by their consolidation places. Well that did happen for 1 person I know.

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
At this point I am not sure relocating would work. I have applied from Guelph to Collingwood even Thunder Bay, and I'd be willing to move and still nothing. Not one call! My resume has been checked by 3 different professional also. I don't get what is happening, and would have been nice to be prepared for this in school. We lead to believe that most of the students get hired by their consolidation places. Well that did happen for 1 person I know.

Yeah this pretty much the picture in Ontario. It likely has nothing to do with your resume. there just aren't that many jobs and lots of new grads. plus many places post the jobs but really have no intention of hiring anyone.

We are so short of nurses in Long term care where I am right now... BC right outside of the metropolitan area, 2-3 hrs from Vancouver are all short of nurses and they need RNs and RPNs. My LTC workplace has 3 full time RN, 2 LPN full time, and 2 part-time RN's and one casual RN/RPN to cover and 1 causal LPN. The same goes for other private LTC places as many nurses are quitting to move onto the hospitals.

Try relocating. Might be the best for you

We are so short of nurses in Long term care where I am right now... BC right outside of the metropolitan area, 2-3 hrs from Vancouver are all short of nurses and they need RNs and RPNs. My LTC workplace has 3 full time RN, 2 LPN full time, and 2 part-time RN's and one casual RN/RPN to cover and 1 causal LPN. The same goes for other private LTC places as many nurses are quitting to move onto the hospitals.

Try relocating. Might be the best for you

Just remember that in BC an RPN is not a practical nurse but a psychiatric nurse!

oh ok. Didn't know that. But we are short for practical nurses too and so are many different LTC's

Hate to say it but agencies are allways looking, i worked for one before i got my forensic position, they are horrible, and very scary for new grads (agencies that is) did that for about 7 months after i graduated. and dont just email resumes to places and say your "looking" for work, get out there be persistant and make yourself known.

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