Even with 8 years RN experience, can't find a job.

Fiona59 · May 13, 2011

Basically, it's because the Canadian job market is in the pits. New grads can't find work and are moving to find it.

Casual positions are posted because they are cheaper to fill for the employer. Casuals don't have benefits and pensions, paid sick leave to acrue. So it's far cheaper to pay a casual than hire someone part time.

It's not because you are American. The importation of nurses is over and many employers are hiring locally educated new grads first because they know how the system works and need less time to be orientated to the unit.

itsmejuli · May 13, 2011

Where are you currently working? Are you applying for jobs from outside the province?

Mykami · May 13, 2011

Okay- long story short. I have residency in Ontario near the Michigan border. I am back and forth to Michigan for work and I currently work in an ICU. I cannot work in Ontario due to not having a baccalaureate in nursing. I registered with CRNBC in 2008 while I was waiting for my permanent residency in Canada. I already have taken the CRNE and need to just work the 250 hours for CRNBC for completion. And I am applying to jobs with my Ontario address.

flyingchange · May 14, 2011

I believe I read somewhere that BC gives preference to residents and local new grads over out-of-province, because I was interested in working there after I graduate.

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 14, 2011

That's the other issue. If you are from outside Canada, and you don't have a BSN, you are very unlikely right now to find work. Especially in Ontario. Ontario has suffered major cuts in the last 3 years, and locals (experienced and new grad) are having a hard time finding work.

mcpabustan8 · May 19, 2011

oh, the situation for us nurses isn't getting better. It is even harder for international nurses in BC. Is it all because of the budget cuts in healthcare?

fleetfoxRN · May 25, 2011

there's massive budget cuts in each and every province. Since most hospitals are run each by their own provincial government, and because tax is where they get the money to fund hospitals.. and because so many people are out of work (we can't exactly tax unemployed and those on welfare).. there's no money.

Most hospitals seem to prefer to have the BScN and would rather hire their own nurses locally.

mcpabustan8 · May 27, 2011

Ok. The job prospect for nurses in BC is not good. So what are the best actions to take for now? Is it good to transfer to other province like Alberta or get licensed here as a LPN instead while waiting for the employment situation for RN's in BC to improve?

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

There are jobs in AB if you don't mind going rural. Otherwise, it's mainly temp or part time in the cities. It's really your decision.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 27, 2011

It's not much better in Alberta right now either. How much time do you have??

I'm a bit concerned about the number of RNs who think they should "settle" for being LPNs because of employment conditions. How is that fair to the LPNs who are also struggling to find employment? And I'm not impressed by the Colleges who are willing to do that. I'm afraid I just don't get it.

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

The other issue that would probably come up working as an LPN, once you do try to gain RN employment somewhere, it would be challenging. You wouldn't be working in your full RN scope as an LPN.