Jobs in AB?

[MissElizabeth]

I'm living in Calgary, and I graduated last June (2013) with my Bachelor's of Nursing. Right before I graduated, I was originally offered a casual position on the unit where I did my final practicum (acute medicine), however after months of not answering my phone calls or emails, the manager then told me that the position was cancelled and they couldn't hire me anymore.

Since then, I have applied for over 350 positions on the AHS webpage, including rural postings, and dropped off almost as many resumes in person, as well as applying for non-AHS jobs on other websites like kijiji. I have had a few interviews, but the general consensus is that I don't have enough experience for the position, or someone else seemed like a better fit and more outgoing candidate.

I have tried to keep current by getting more training in things such as ACLS, NVCI, etc. however this doesn't seem to be helping my job prospects much. I know the situation is not great for external AHS applicants, but I am the only person I know from my graduating class that has not been hired even a year later. I have been so frustrated as it feels like I went through my nursing program for nothing. I am just wondering if any of you are going through the same thing, or if there is something that I am doing wrong that I could fix to help me finally find a job as a RN ?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Last week, I sat in interviews and many of the questions we ask are scenario based. How would you prioritize your care? Describe a decision you made that worked well? Not so well? Strengths and weaknesses? Be honest, because that shows insight, but when describing a weakness, tell the interviewer how you would improve.

And please do some research about the organization and the unit you're applying to. If you can't tell me anything intelligent about the place you want to work at, that's a definite do not hire.

Monster has some great resources regarding resume writing and interview techniques.

[graduatenurse2014]

I hope that you found a position by now! I will share my experience with you as well. I had contacted the candidate management program and they helped me fix my resume to include all clinical rotations/ the skills learned on that unit and the date. I had applied to over 135 positions (literally applying to any position I could, no matter if it was a unit I didn't prefer) the key is to get your foot in the door. After being suggested by many AHS employees to go visit the manager with a resume AFTER applying to the position online so they cannot refer you to that. I decided to call a unit I was interested in and that I had applied to. I asked to speak to the manager, to which I left I voicemail. I just stated that I was interested and was hoping I could meet with them sometime to discuss the position. Two days later I received a call for an interview. The key is networking to stand out. There are so many people that apply, but by adding the extra effort, it really pays off!