Agency nursing as a new grad in Toronto area?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2016

Most agencies will not hire new grads because you're expected to function autonomously with minimal orientation (as in one shift, "here's the supply room).

New grads require mentoring, and agencies expect 1-2 years of experience at minimum because you're expected to know the role. I've worked with various agency nurses who worked one shift and ran the med cart the following day.

You could try applying to agencies, but if you are hired, you're setting yourself up for failure.

Can you consider relocation to a small town somewhere?

mintchocolate · Feb 4, 2016

Hmm thanks for letting me know, I'll definitely cross off agencies on my list then.

I have considered relocating to a small town and I have started to look into different hospitals. Most full time positions I've seen require at least 1-2yrs of experience (which I obviously don't have as a new grad) and most positions I've seen are either part time/ casual. I'm going to keep looking and checking though. It's also not financially possible for me to move unless I find full time employment. I have even already applied to Health Canada to work as a New Grad nurse in a remote First Nations community.

theRPN2b · Feb 4, 2016

Hmm thanks for letting me know, I'll definitely cross off agencies on my list then.
I have considered relocating to a small town and I have started to look into different hospitals. Most full time positions I've seen require at least 1-2yrs of experience (which I obviously don't have as a new grad) and most positions I've seen are either part time/ casual. I'm going to keep looking and checking though. It's also not financially possible for me to move unless I find full time employment. I have even already applied to Health Canada to work as a New Grad nurse in a remote First Nations community.

When working part time or casual, you can sometimes make full time hours, I know some nurses doing that

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2016

When working part time or casual, you can sometimes make full time hours, I know some nurses doing that

Agree, most part time staff can pick up extra shifts, and usually make enough to cover expenses. Any new grad who is offered a part time or casual position in the current market, needs to grab it, even if it means moving. The new fiscal year starts April and typically hospitals do not offer full time positions to new grads in the last quarter of the fiscal year, instead hospitals cut positions. The hospitals know that they must cut expenses in 2016-2017.

mintchocolate · Feb 4, 2016

I had no idea, thank you for letting me know! I'll start applying for part time and casual positions as well

loriangel14, RN · Feb 4, 2016

Full time positions are awarded by seniority so you will not find full time right off the bat. These usually go to internal applicants in any unionized facility as per the contract.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2016

If the position requests one year of experience, apply anyway.

Also keep in mind that you may need to settle for a. 70-.80 part time and pick up. Full time lines are rare for new grads.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2016

@mintchocolate if you are in doubt about relocating to work in a small town, look at ONA news regarding Ontario hospital layoffs, most of the cuts are happening in cities, for example this past week Toronto's UHN, Mount Sinai and CAMH and Hamilton's St Joseph's cut RN positions.