Are there Rn jobs in Edmonton/Calgary? 2016

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Hie all,

I am an RN who graduated last year in Edmonton and moved earlier this year to Saskatchewan for a full time permanent job.Prior to moving I was working in Edmonton in a casual position (Medicine float pool).I had applied for full time positions there, but was not able to land a position. Therefore,I applied in Saskatchewan and in a matter of a few weeks landed a position there.Although it is not my dream job I find I am able to pay off my student debt faster this way.However, I have been considering moving back to Alberta in either Calgary or Edmonton next year in about 6 months.I would like to find out from those of you who are there how the job market is there for RNS and how quickly one can find a job there especially full time or permanent positions? would it be worth moving back in the near future.Thank you I appreciate your feedback!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing in Canada forum

I would suggest you make no move without a position

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Right now on Edmonton, everything is casual or temporary. Unless you are ICU! NICU! Or OR. Even then there is huge internal applications for the line.

my unit had 75 Internal applicants for a six month temp line.

There is something happening in AHS and management is keeping very quiet about everything.

I imagine Calgary is the same

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Agreed. I am looking for a new job, not much to be had here except casual or temp. No sign of improving, especially with the oil crisis. Stay where you are.

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I agree that the job market in Edmonton is tough- it took me several months to get a position in AHS as a newly graduated nurse with no seniority to speak of. And while I can't say how quickly one can find a job at this time I think it is worth noting that there are positions available right now.

As mentioned above, many of those positions are casual or temporary but I think it would be worth trying to get into a temporary line. I know it isn't the regular full time you might want but I graduated last year and I know a few of my classmates started in those temporary lines and are currently in regular lines. Again, I don't know how long it may take to get one of those positions but units are hiring. Mine hired an RN for a temp full time just a couple of months ago as well as some LPNs and HCAs.

As to whether that's worth it or not is up to you- I don't know your entire situation and if you can or are willing to do that longer play of starting in temporary lines to build up seniority because it definitely takes a little more time and has more risk then your current secure full time position. In any case, I wish you all the best and good luck! :)

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Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

I don't know about the RN situation, but there are ZERO LPN jobs here in calgary. I have 8 years of experience and recently lost my position at a private clinic due to the oil crisis. I've been applying to every single thing that comes up for months ( AHS, every LTC place, clinics etc) and nothing. Not even a call back.

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Hi everyone, I have a question and looking for some advice. I'm currently a third year nursing student in Toronto and I'm working as a PCA/nursing aide at UHN. My goal is get into AHS after graduation. PT and causal anything is good. I have no family in Toronto and my bf just left toronto for Edmonton for good.

Sickkids and some other hospitals have clinical externship for third year students and it's an excellent opportunity because basically you work like a nurse but I also want to apply for the nursing aide at AHS so I can apply as an internal candidate next time when I'm done with school. Which experience do you think the hiring manager is looking for in my resume? Nursing aide at AHS or real nursing experience at a Toronto hospital?? Thank you in advance :)

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You're planning a very expensive commute.

While there isnt isn't a freeze on hiring, there isn't much of any position being hired.

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You're planning a very expensive commute.

While there isnt isn't a freeze on hiring, there isn't much of any position being hired.

I got a call from a manager yesterday - and they said that there is a hiring freeze in Calgary. No external candidates can get in. ??

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I got a call from a manager yesterday - and they said that there is a hiring freeze in Calgary. No external candidates can get in. ??

The 'f' word hasn't been used in Edmonton, lol.

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The best way to get into AHS is rural. Get hired in a rural hospital, do your time, get all your skills and apply for all the city jobs. You'll eventually get one. We lose more nurses in Rural Alberta this way....But if you really want to get into a city hospital, it's the way to do it. Maybe you'll find you love rural nursing. You get to be a jack of all trades.

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Getting the position of an NA with AHS as a nursing student has gotten significantly harder over the past couple years. They want NAs who will stay an NA. They don't want nursing students who will become undergrads, then GNs and then RNs because then they are just in a cycle of constantly hiring new NAs.

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