Calgary Job Situation

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Hey Guys!

I graduated last year in March and am still unable to find a job here in Calgary (LPN). When I graduated, AHS was having a hiring freeze, then slowly it seemed there were less jobs and more people who needed them. It's September 2016 now and 18 months of me having no job. I apply online and it gets me no where. I go to the hospital and hand out resumes too, didn't do anything for me. Now I'm looking outside Calgary, Strathmore, Olds, Okotoks, Airdrie. I want to cry!! I have no experience!! What can I do now? Should I still go to hospitals and hand out resumes? Someone help me Please!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing in Canada forum,

Have you tried everything or just hospitals?

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Everything.

When I was a student, my preceptors and other employees told me to write a cv pertaining to that unit and hand out resumes. They said it was the best way to get a casual position, but I graduated 18 months ago, I'm just afraid that the manager will see that i have no experience and toss my resume. Actually, I'm afraid that will happen with any job I apply for. Still keeping hope though.

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Try applying in rural areas, not bedroom communities that are 30-45 minutes away from Calgary or Edmonton.

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Have you applied to the float pools as well? Most new hires I've seen have started there as casuals

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Agreed. Try float pools, clinics, LTC, any position advertising nights (nights are not easy to fill).

Also apply to all the smaller centres around Calgary and go North if you can. AHS is always advertising "North Zone Locum". Positions in the north zone are much harder to fill and they get desperate. It was that way when I worked in the North Zone and it still is.

Unfortunately, now that oil has tanked we are in for a continued freeze.

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Specializes in OR, Medical Ambulatory Clinics, Neuro.

Apply at High River Hospital and Black Diamond. They are awesome small community hospitals and they usually are more open to people with little to no experience. Good luck!

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

Oh man it's BRUTAL right now. I feel bad for any new grads because it's got to be next to impossible to find anything.

Im just about to come off mat leave and will not be returning to my clinic job because they can't guarantee the same hours month to month and change the schedule based on what the doctors are working.

Anyway I have 8 years of LPN experience in acute, community, ltc , have phlebotomy and immunization certifications and have started applying to anything and everything. I can't find anything either, not even a response..I'm thinking I might have to get a job in retail or something.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

It's scary out there. AB is really in the midst of a depression, not a recession. I feel for anyone looking for work.

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Thanks for all the help guys! Sadly I only found a few positions from what you guys suggested. I'm thinking I might also have to go into retail and just work there until I find something.

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Hey guys! Do u think volunteering in the hospital or a nursing home could possibly increase my chance of getting a job there? I'm thinking I'm just gonna work retail or something and volunteer when I'm free, that way i can get to know the managers and staff right? Is there anyone who has gotten in this way? Or know of someone who got a job this way?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Volunteering within the nursing role is not permitted anywhere, so you won't likely increase your chances of employment.

Employers cannot hire unless there is actual funding for a position. Keep applying to casual lines and consider relocating to a small town if you're able.

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