Graduating Nurse from Ontario Moving to Calgary

[blissity]

Hi there,

I am looking for information on the nursing job market in Calgary for graduate nurses. Are there any full time positions available this coming summer? Ideally I would like to get hired for August/September (once my RN licence and registration is done) What's the nursing atmosphere like at Peter Lougheed or Rockyview for those who are currently employed there? I would love to work at South Health Campus as well but since it appears to be at the outskirts of the city, transportation would be an issue for me unless I can get a car. Any information would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

- Kim

[prithibi]

It is sad to hear that Alberta is also cutting jobs. I am RN from Ottawa, ON. Planning to move to Calgary. Currently applying for job through AHS but no response yet. Is there any other ways to apply for job (other than AHS)? I already have registration with CARNA but no job offer yet.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

As of yesterday, there is a hiring freeze with AHS as they scrutinize FTE's. I would expect that this will continue into the summer months. AHS did not receive the funding they were promised from the government. Unless you are an internal applicant, or you are willing to work rural areas, don't count on hearing anything for a while. Many rural areas are in need of staff through AHS. Otherwise, you could search for homecare or other private nursing agencies in AB.

[lilaclover6984]

Yeah all of us AHS employees just got an email saying there may "not necessarily" be layoffs. So in other words it is something they are considering and a good possibility. Uggg

Probably not the best time to be trying to get a job with AHS

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I read the same email. I can't see them laying off that many people, but for sure AHS won't be hiring externally unless it's absolutely warranted. Forget about moving to Calgary or Edmonton unless you have experience in a specialty like OR, ER, ICU, because there are far too many applicants for the cities with few jobs. That's the reality OP.

[lilaclover6984]

I read the same email. I can't see them laying off that many people but for sure AHS won't be hiring externally unless it's absolutely warranted. Forget about moving to Calgary or Edmonton unless you have experience in a specialty like OR, ER, ICU, because there are far too many applicants for the cities with few jobs. That's the reality OP.[/quote']

No, I don't see them really laying many people off but it did say they will be redistributing people to priority areas. I really hope I don't get moved to an even crazier unit than the one I'm on.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Working rural is even worse because many of the facilities already operate on a skeleton staff as is. AHS has been refusing to hire contract nurses for months, and that's the only way the staff gets a break. Their locum positions are also difficult to recruit for. Nursing is yet again going through a rough time in general, and these politicians don't care. It's all about the money.

[Fiona59]

I've heard of casuals having zero shifts in a month. They are applying for any line they can find.

Corrections may be hiring, but remember any unit that has an excess of vacancies may not be a good place to be.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We have XLIV vacant lines according to what I heard today... no info on whether any will be filled. But we just hired a new intensivist...

[Fiona59]

We have XLIV vacant lines according to what I heard today... no info on whether any will be filled. But we just hired a new intensivist...

They offering finders fees? Remember those days?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Do I? I remember that they refused to pay me because the person I recruited had talked to someone at a job fair. She used my name on her application but they wouldn't give me the money.

[itsmejuli]

I've had no callbacks from AHS on any positions I've applied for. I'm giving up for awhile....going on vacation in May.

[lemur00, BSN, RN]

What is the best solution for new grads now?

Saskatchewan?