Any idea of working for the agency?

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Hi there,

I am a fresh grad (well, I guess technically not, cause I have been graduated from nursing school for more than a year) and been trying and sending many many resumes but doesn't seem to have any luck in getting response (not even a call for interview!! :cry:). I am in quite a desperate situation here.

I came across some ads re: working in the northern community with agency.

Wonder if anyone of you have worked up north with agencies before? Are they reliable? Mind to share your experience? Was it worth to give it a shot? :yes::no:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Wanna tell us where, exactly, "up north" is?

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Here are some of the agency I found - I am kinda hesitating on sending my application before knowing more yet I am desperate in just getting anything and don't mind going anywhere (student loans are kicking in... bills are pilling...etc...:cry: )

(1) Canadian HealthCare Agency: Manitoba and Ontario (I am assuming is the northern communities in MB and ON)??

(2) Select Medical Connections: Yukon Hospital (read job review of the agency, quite scary but not sure how true is that - perhaps everyone has different experience?)

(3) Bayshore / Venture Healthcare: Nunavut region / North West Territory

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

This thread has been moved to our Nursing in Canada forum to reach an audience that is more familiar with the remote northern Canadian provinces and territories.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Select Medical requires a minimum of 2 years full time nursing experience and the application includes checklists of all your key nursing skills. As a recent grad, you won't qualify.

Most agencies have similar requirements because your orientation consists of one shift. They expect that you already have solid nursing skills.

Consider applying for permanent lines in a small town somewhere, not agencies.

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Thanks for the advice. I am just desperate but I guess I am not qualified for now.

Have you worked with Select before or other agency? Just wonder and curious how they are?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I haven't worked with any agencies but I have friends who travel frequently so I've learned the ins and outs. I've also spoken with Select recruiters when I was considering travel nursing.

They were willing to offer me work but I decided on a permanent position instead.

Agencies are very similar in their requirements and they will not consider nurses without experience. You need mentoring and agency work will not provide this. "Here's the med room and the layout of the unit." That is essentially the extent of your orientation.

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I have no experience with agencies but I would recommend applying for jobs in rural areas to increase your chances of a callback. Good luck!

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