American Nurse in Calgary

Fiona59 · Jul 16, 2005

Foothills is THE big teaching hospital. Peter Lougheed and Rockyview are good sized as well. Thats all I can think of right now. Calgary is a nice city lived there for six years. The Chinooks can cause killer headaches if you're prone to migranes....

POYEX · Jul 16, 2005

Hello everyone! I am an RN, BSN, moving to Calgary in September. I currently work in a level IV NICU at a research and learning hospital in Tennessee. I'd like to work in one of the several NICUs in Calgary but I am really interested in public health nursing. It seems like the requirements for these positions ask for additional training.

How difficult will it be for an American RN to get a job in Calgary? I wrote the CRNE in June and I have a 6 month work permit from the AARN.

All suggestions and comments would be greatly apprecited.

:) HI I'AM 2ND YEAR STUDENT IN NURSING.IS THERE A POSSIBILITYTHAT I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH U AS NURSE IN THE FUTURE...

spots · Jul 16, 2005

Thanks for the information Fiona, FMC does seem to be where the largest population of neonates are. The new children's hospital they are building by the U of C is amazingly impressive (and colorful). Anything I can learn about the job market in Calgary for RN's is much appreciated.

Pol .. sure, if I get a job there, I'd love to precept you but I'll have to work in the job several years before I have the hospital policies and procedures down adequately. I'm sure Calgary has many nurses that are willing to take on new grads :) Good luck to you with your schooling!

Wynne77 · Jul 17, 2005

Hi there. I'm an RN who's been working in Calgary for the past two years. I've spent all my time here working at Foothills. It's an older hospital, but it's the teaching hospital and main trauma centre for southern alberta. As for working in public health, most postions only require a BSN and two years experience. Good luck finding a job and don't hesitate to email me with any other questions at [email protected]

spots · Jul 18, 2005

Wynne, thanks for the reply! Are there many foreign nurses @ FMC? I have a ton of questions about applying for the jobs and what is required once you get the job. Is the hiring process a long one? Once you are hired what is expected? A physical? a drug test? Hospital orientation? Skills assessment? Criminal background check? I have no doubt I can clear all the aforementioned but it's nice to know what to expect. It also seems that there are relatively few full time positions. Is there the opportunity to work additional shifts if you are only hired part time? I am used to working overtime :S and being called at home on my days off. Part time sounds great but sometimes we need that extra $$$. How are the patient/ nurse ratios? I also heard (rumur) that Canadian nurses get naps at night (hee hee) is that true?

Thanks again for listening.

Wynne77 · Jul 19, 2005

Hi. No problem. There are a few foreign nurses here. On my unit there are a couple of girls from the Phillipines, China, and Scotland. I don't know how much different the hiring process is for foreign nurses, but it was very quick with me. I had an interview and was offered a job that day. I guess once all your paperwork is in order, the process will be quick. I found the orientation at Foothills good. They gave me 3 full days of general Calgary health region and foothills orientation. Once on the unit, I got 10 orientation shifts before I was working on my own. I was not required to have a physical done, nor did I have to do a drug test or a skills assessment. They did, though, require a criminal background check. In regards to postions and shifts; I guess it might be unit-specific. But I work on Unit 102 and, although, they don't post that many fulltime positions, you can work as much as you want. There are tons of overtime shifts to be had. My unit also runs both 8 and 12 hours shifts. Patient to nurse ratios on 102 are good. We do primary nursing and have 4 patients on days and evenings and 6 on nights. Hopefully this helps you out. Don't hesitate to ask me anything else. Oh, as for napping, again that's pretty unit-specific. We have an hour and 15 minute break on nights and you're free to do as you please, and napping is always a popular option.