IEN job hunting in BC

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 3, 2009

As well as sending them your CV/resume did you actually follow up with a call?

Fiona59 · May 3, 2009

Health regions expect you to apply for a specific job competition. If you look at their posting boards you will see each job has a number. It is up to the applicant to select a job.

After you apply for a specific job there is usually a wait of up to one month before HR even gets around to calling people in for interviews. The thing to note on job postings is the all important phrase "open to the general public". No point in applying for a job that doesn't have that phrase because they will only look at "internal applicants".

If "casual" nurses or part timers apply they will get an interview before an "outside" applicant.

The regions are all unionized and follow the rules quite strictly.

Firing off resumes without a competition number is really a waste of a stamp or email.

Monprin · May 3, 2009

Thank you for your reply, Silverdragon102 & Fiona59;)

I didn't follow up my resume with a phone call so far. I didn't know I could do that because this is my first time being on a jobhunt in Canada. But I will definitely do that!

I also didn't know to look for a phrase "Open to the general public" (I've never seen it on the joblistings.), instead, I was looking for a "Opportunity for new grads" phrase. Although I'm not a new grad I thought it's a good position to restart my career.

Thank you two again,

I really appreciate it.

More tips welcome:heartbeat

Fiona59 · May 4, 2009

Highly unlikely that you would qualifty for "new grad" positions. They are funded to allow local graduates come into the workforce.

Monprin · May 4, 2009

Highly unlikely that you would qualifty for "new grad" positions. They are funded to allow local graduates come into the workforce.

Thanks again, Fiona59:specs:

Oh maybe that's why it's difficult to get a job for IENs?

I personally feel IENs are not so welcome to many workplaces.

I heard this from friend that when she said she took the Re-entry program, the atmosphire at the interview changed very much.

The point is the employer was kind of reluctant to hire IENs unless they go back to school in Canada:paw:

I didn't know the reality for finding a job as a IEN, I thought it was gonna be pretty easy because of the fact that RNs are in great demand.

So, I started thinking taking some course to gain my knowledge about Canadian medical settings, so I can have better chances to get hired (I believe).

Do you think this is a good idea?

But the problem is I have no idea what is available for me at this point. (I'm searching on the internet a lot but couldn't find anything yet.)

Does anyone have any idea that might suit me in this situation?

All help are deeply appreciated:lol2:

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 4, 2009

Employers in Canada are more than likely looking for experience especially with IEN's

Some provinces may have courses that will help you but generally you are expected to be in Canada to do them

Monprin · May 5, 2009

Thank you, Silverdragon102:redbeathe

I still can keep my hope to get hired. (hopefully soon!)

By the way I'm a PR living in Vancouver so it's not difficult to attend some courses.

I found one course at Vancouver Comunity College today so I guess I'll take it. (only 3-day course)

It will help me gain my ability and confident working in Canada I believe.

But still want to find a job as soon as possible.

Thanks you again!

:icon_roll

Monprin · May 8, 2009

Hi,all

I have a question for especially IENs:specs:

How long did it take to get a response from your employer after you sent your cover letter/resume?

I sent my resume 2-3 weeks ago but didnt hear anything from anyone yet.

Does this mean I'm rejected?

I left acute care nursing in 2004, my last work as RN is in 2006 which means I've been out of practise for more than 3 years.

Does this affect my employent opportunity? ( I think it does.)

I called them for follow up but there is a record saying applicants can't contact HR due to large volume of E-mails received. So I could not do anything about it.

Some people around me (they are not in this line of work.) suggest that I start volunteering at a hospital or working as RCA or something, so when the hopital get a vacant RN position, I'll get it. But to me, it's a ???

Beside taking some courses to gain knowledge and skills,

What should I do now???

I feel so lost in the dark:crying2:

Help please:redpinkhe

Fiona59 · May 8, 2009

You can't volunteer to work in any area of patient care. Union contracts forbid it as do employment laws. You can volunteer in recreation and social activities.

Privacy laws prevent volunteers from knowing much about the patients other than their age, gender, and if they are suitable for volunteer visits.

You won't get an RN or any other nursing position by volunteering in a facility. Hiring in facilities are based on many factors. If the position is open to "internal applicants only" seniority in the facility or health region will play a deciding factor. You can apply for those positions but your application will not even be looked at.

We recently had a unit clerk position vacant, 42 applications were received, 30 were from internal applicants, HR reduced the pool to 5 that actually came for interviews with the manager.

With nurses it works the same. HR reviews the application, makes the cut and send whomever they consider best qualified for that unit to meet the manager.

If they have three local new grads apply for the job, more than likely they will be interviewed before you because their skills are recent and the did part of their training within the system.

This goes for LTC and active treatment. It's a hard but real fact.

Fiona59 · May 8, 2009

Hi,all
I have a question for especially IENs:specs:
I left acute care nursing in 2004, my last work as RN is in 2006 which means I've been out of practise for more than 3 years.
Does this affect my employent opportunity? ( I think it does.)
Help please:redpinkhe

So you haven't worked as a nurse in nearly three years? Under the terms of my College, I would be losing my practice permit. I'm required to work 1000 hours every three years. Failure to do so results in no practice permit. I would have to take a refresher course to be able to practice again.

Have you obtained your practice permit in whichever province you live in?

Monprin · May 9, 2009

Thank you Fiona,

I'm in BC Canada.

Under the BC Registered Nurse registration regulation, you have to work more than 1125 hours in the last 5 years or took re-entry program to be eligible to write the CRNE for IENs. (after that we need to renew every year. I guess.) So I am not breaking the rules of course, and I' m able to work as a Temporary Registered Nurse now.

But, I know I need to and I want to review my knowledge and skills as a nurse. So I'm taking some courses very soon.

I'm actually thinking to take re-entry program lately. This way, after 1 year, I'll get hired as a nurse with no problem, right?