graduated from an Ontario Nursing school, need advice to work in Alberta

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 25, 2013

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 25, 2013

You have to sit the exam for the province you trained in and then transfer.

You are aware things are pretty tough for Albert job wise at the moment?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2013

Unless you are willing to work rural, be aware that AB offers no job security and you could very well be facing a layoff if you're hired at one of the city centres.

Since January of 2013, AB nurses have been receiving layoffs as the new workforce transformation takes hold. More layoffs are imminent, especially in the cities where AHS can reduce staffing. RNs have been without a union contract since March 2013 and LPNs aren't faring much better in this mess.

I moved from ON in 2010 to AB, but I had a firm offer. You write the CRNE in ON and the CNO sends your licensing information directly to CARNA in AB. The process may take anywhere from 6 weeks to three months total, depending on how busy CARNA is.

I would suggest googling AB or AHS nursing to get a feel for the climate out here. You may very well receive an offer, but understand that your job is not stable. Someone with seniority can bump you if their position is eliminated during this transformation period, which is ongoing.

weemsp · Dec 2, 2013

I would suggest googling AB or AHS nursing to get a feel for the climate out here. You may very well receive an offer, but understand that your job is not stable. Someone with seniority can bump you if their position is eliminated during this transformation period, which is ongoing.

Just FYI....despite the posted " job opportunities" posted on the AHS website....bear in mind many ( if not most) are non-existent. For whatever reason, the majority of those position ( many of which I have applied for) come back as " position cancelled".

It's really tough out here at the moment. We have no contract in place and certainly NO job security. This " restructuring" is at a critical level and I see no improvements on the horizon.

I'm sorry to be a complete pessimist on this topic....but the smoke screen that AHS is casting is smothering us all to death!!!

Fiona59 · Dec 2, 2013

I have friends in the UK who have told me that they see various provinces advertising in their nursing journals!

The various provincial governments must have a huge advertising budget to be doing this.

I just want to know why so many posters from Ontario and BC think Alberta is such a desirable place to work!

weemsp · Dec 2, 2013

it makes me wonder what the hell is in it for AHS ( or any provincial health governing agency) that they continue to try to recruit international nurses?? Are they in bed with the Immigration department?? Do they receive some kind of " kick back" ?? No offense to any international nurses...but should we not take care of our own nurses that have paid insane amounts in tuition and taxes here in Canada to be employed?? I realize this is a loaded subject...and I am all for IENs coming here for various reasons...but when they come here and these phantom positions evaporate like a fart in the breeze....what is the point???

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2013

AB always was the place to be....until all this "transformation". Not so anymore. I think people are just trying to figure out some kind of action plan. I've seen various ads in those magazines and they are all asking for either rural nurses or experienced.

Unfortunately, no one is hiring in Canada, unless you're willing to work rural, which many people aren't. I spoke with a couple of friends recently who are working, but tired of nursing and back in school studying an unrelated degree. You'll start seeing that more and more. Then there's the next wave of nurses who will be Masters educated with no job.

It's going to continue to get worse. Every year new grads are coming out with no jobs. Not as bad as the US, but still nothing promising.

ohmychonny · Jan 17, 2014

I just started my first semester for a RPN program at Mohawk College, and I just joined this forum, I have no idea how the job market is right now in Canada, and from what I m reading, it seems pretty bad. I always heard nursing is a profession in demand right now so that is why I decided to study it. I might consider moving to the states then after I am done with my studies if it gets worse in Canada.

Fiona59 · Jan 17, 2014

I just started my first semester for a RPN program at Mohawk College, and I just joined this forum, I have no idea how the job market is right now in Canada, and from what I m reading, it seems pretty bad. I always heard nursing is a profession in demand right now so that is why I decided to study it. I might consider moving to the states then after I am done with my studies if it gets worse in Canada.

Do you have a green card? NAFTA doesn't work for LPNs.

Trishrpn80 · Jan 17, 2014

Cant work in the states unless you r an rn and even right now rn's are having a tough time..

I went to Mohawk too.. :)

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2014

I just started my first semester for a RPN program at Mohawk College, and I just joined this forum, I have no idea how the job market is right now in Canada, and from what I m reading, it seems pretty bad. I always heard nursing is a profession in demand right now so that is why I decided to study it. I might consider moving to the states then after I am done with my studies if it gets worse in Canada.

I just graduated from Mohawk. The market for new grads is not THAT bad here, but you HAVE to be willing to work wherever, whenever, whatever...and you have to put in the work and effort to find a job! It's a lie that nurses can work wherever they want. I graduated a month ago and have 3 interviews in hospitals...many of my friends have job offers already. But I took my resume and emailed managers as well as physically went knocking on managers doors to meet them in person...that's how I got all 3 of my interviews.