Chances of New Grad RN finding pediatric outpatient/ambulatory/clinic jobs in Toronto/GTA?

[Hope888]

Hello Fellow Nurses!

I will be graduating nursing school this April and I'm planning to write my NCLEX this June/Early July, and I have been freaking out over finding employment.

So I know I may get backlash for not wanting to work in the hospital as a new grad but please hear me out. I know that a lot of people recommend working in the hospital when you start out to acquire those "real nursing skills" which is a term I don't like to use, but I've had many placements in the hospital before and I know it's an environment that I don't necessarily enjoy or thrive in.

I'm passionate about preventative/primary health and my dream job would be to work at a paediatric clinic and serve my community members. I'm just scared I'll have a hard time finding a job in a paediatric outpatient setting because I heard they want nurses who have acute care/hospital experience. Is this true? And for my fellow new grad nurses in the Greater Toronto Area, have you had any luck finding jobs in any outpatient/ambulatory settings? I'm currently looking at postings for outpatient paediatric clinics in hospitals, as well as any paediatric urgrent care or walk in clinics. I feel like a lot of paediatric doctor's offices don't hire nurses. I'm also willing to drive further for my job. I feel like the suburbs would have more opportunities available. I would also be open to family practice clinics as I do like to learn and work with various age groups.

Although I prefer an outpatient setting, I also did apply to level 2 NICUs to open up more doors. I shadowed a nurse one day in a level 3 NICU and I couldn't imagine myself working there because it was really upsetting seeing all those sick preemies, but I feel like I would enjoy level 2 NICUs/special care nurseries more because it seems like a lower acuity environment. For nurses that work in a level 2 NICU, do you enjoy your job?

Anyways, thank you guys so much for your help and support in advance. I'm so appreciative of this positive nursing community that we have.

[Fiona59]

Most doctors offices hire few RNs. They tend to hire an NP and LPNs.

Ambulatory positions are highly sought after because of the hours and in my area, usually go to nurses with at least ten years seniority within the organization.

You also have to remember that doctors offices, medi centres, etc often pay less than the going hospital union rates.

I've been trying to get into an outpatients clinic job in my hospital since 2006 and only managed to get an interview within the last three years!

Good luck. I know my hospital will hire new grads for the NICU and ICU and those that are hired do get an extensive orientation.

Nursery jobs are becoming few and far between because of the trend of rooming in. New Mums are basically only using the nursery in my hospital for getting a quick rest break or going out to smoke.

[Hope888]

Hello Fiona, thank you so much for your insight! I really appreciate it.

[jennylee321]

Just to clarify yes postpartum units do not really have nurseries anymore but most hospitals delivering babies have some sort of level 2 nursery.

Focus your search of level II nurseries, I work in NICU but I enjoyed working in a level 2 as well. Honestly getting an outpatient paediatric job as a new grad in toronto will be next to impossible.

[Hope888]

Thanks so much Jenny for your help! How did you like the level 2 NICU? I shadowed a day in level 3 and it was too intense and sad for me so I'm hoping I will enjoy the level 2 unit a lot more.

[jennylee321]

I did end up moving back into level 3 but thats where I started and missed the skills I was using in higher acuity.

But I really enjoyed working in level 2 as well. You will be doing lots of breastfeeding support and discharge teaching.

Things you will see most often:

-new premature babies but depending on the unit only down to certain gestations ie. 32 weeks and up

-feeder grower prems (NG feeds, working up on oral feeds)

-babies of mothers with gestational diabetes

-intrauterine growth restricted babies/small for gestational age babies

-babies who have respiratory distress at birth and require either CPAP for

-babies withdrawing from narcotics used in pregnancy

-babies requiring IV antibiotics

-babies with feeding difficulties

Level 3 should look intense and scary by the way. Level 2 is a great place to work and a great place to start out as a nurse. Some nurses will love it and stay there and others will seek out Level 3 experience once they get comfortable with working in Level 2. Also the great thing about living in GTA is there is a perinatal nursing program you can take that will let you get level 3 experience as a placement. This course both prepares you for working in a level 3 & would help you decide if you wanted to transition to this.