Best way to get a job with AHS?

[RoryGilmore]

I'm going to be graduating soon as an RN, and I am terrified about not getting a job. I sadly couldn't get a job as a HCA or UNE with AHS, so I cannot apply as an internal candidate. I know some people who work with AHS have said that they got their jobs by going onto the unit in person and dropping off their resume, or calling the unit manager. This is what I will probably be doing after I graduate, because I have been applying online or HCA and UNE jobs and I have heard nothing back.

My question is when there is a float position, who exactly does the hiring? How would I go about talking to them?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

It's rough everywhere in AB, especially with the collapse of oil. Apply for all the positions that you are even remotely qualified for. Look at casual lines, clinics, LTC, float pools, home health.

Personally, I wouldn't advise a new grad to work home health, but new grads are considered for these positions. You're working independently, so without solid assessment skills and a good orientation, home health is not the best idea.

Consider working a small town. Small towns are always desperate. Edmonton and Calgary have few jobs and many qualified experienced applicants.

Managers must screen all internal candidates first, meaning that all external candidates will be looked at if there are no suitable internals. It's not you. Most positions are likely receiving 50-100 applicants each.

Good luck!

[RoryGilmore]

Thanks for your reply! Do you recommend calling or visiting managers, do you think this helps someone get a job?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Having worked for AHS and Covenant Health, I don't recommend this, although apparently, showing up unannounced has worked for a random few.

It's unlikely this tactic will work unless you are applying to a rural location. Managers cannot hire anyone unless there is a posting online AND that person has applied to the posting AND there are no suitable internal candidates.

Even if I wanted to hire someone that walked in, I couldn't. I had to instruct them to apply online to the posting. Then there were usually 10 or more internal candidates that we were obligated to interview.

There is a process in a unionized environment, otherwise staff will file grievances. If you are walking in, try clinics and some of the private companies.