I know this is a pretty common statement on these boards, but I am so frustrated/upset/disappointed about how difficult it is to find a job as a new grad nurse right now.
I just finished my pregrad in an ICU, and normally they hire their pregrad students into the NGG positions to orient them and then hire part time afterwards. This year they are unable to because they're laying off nurses on the unit.
The only postings I see (outside of NGG) are for emerg jobs, which I am not qualified for (although I did apply to a bunch of them anyway, because what else can I do). I think I've pretty much applied to anything that is within an hour or so drive of where I live.
My boyfriend and I are looking at moving so that we can both be employed, but his job is a little more limiting. He also makes more money than I will as a nurse so if he can't find a job as well it makes no sense to move. I've applied to Calgary and to the interior of BC. From reading the boards I know that everywhere in Ontario (except for way up North perhaps) is a tough market right now. I had a phone interview for a casual position in the interior, but my boyfriends interviews for that area didn't pan out.
It's extra frustrating to me because the lie I was sold when I applied to nursing was that there was this "huge shortage" and so many jobs for nurses. And this is my second degree, which makes the looming student debt even more terrifying for me.
I'm not really sure why I'm posting this. I think I just need to get it off my chest to other people who are dealing with the same thing. My family just keeps telling me oh its cyclical, it wasn't like this a few years ago. Which is kind of a lie, throughout my degree nurses on the units have been telling me there were no jobs, but I loved being in the hospital so I kind of ignored it.
Here's hoping I eventually get a job here in Onterrible, or get an opportunity to move to Alberta or BC (which I would love to do, beautiful out there).
I'm not sure where is OK for you to move and where isn't but I would bet that Abbotsford and Surrey, BC are hiring emerg nurses. Both of which are about an hour from Vancouver, which has so many surrounding cities that your boyfriend could likely work in.
Best of luck!
I have actually accepted a job in BC recently. I'm going by myself for now, and I'm really excited about the job. They seem to have quite a good set up for preparing new grads to transition into "real" nurses. The boyfriend is looking for a job there and hopefully finds one eventually.
It's so great to hear that you found a job in BC. Can you tell if you applied for the BC license prior to finding the job? And are there any tips you could share about being successful in securing a job in general, and especially when applying to another province?
@joanna73 I completely agree with you most schools lie to get students and get money from the tuition. I was one of those fooled and regret my decision but what can I do I'm close at the end of the tunnel getting prepared to write a hard and expensive exam filled with debts, broken dreams and no certainty about jobs. Do I go back to school for another program, do I push through all the adversaries and keep going until I land a job... but wait I still have to actually pass that NCLEX exam hah. I don't know.. so I agree with OP and know how much stress there is being a new grad. Hang in there.
relizabeth
22 Posts
I have actually accepted a job in BC recently. I'm going by myself for now, and I'm really excited about the job. They seem to have quite a good set up for preparing new grads to transition into "real" nurses. The boyfriend is looking for a job there and hopefully finds one eventually.