Landing a job with AHS

[graduatenurse2014]

Hi,

I am a graduate nurse that has recently moved to Alberta. I have applied to over 125 positions and have not received one phone call for an interview. I have used the Alberta resume resource that is suggested by AHS, as well as the Candidate Management program they have offered since nurses are considered "in high demand". I have made the suggested changes to my resume and they have said that it now looks great. I have tried calling a couple of Unit Managers of the units that I applied to (to schedule a meeting instead of just showing up to their office), only with the results of leaving a voicemail or the manager not being available. I have spoken to a few other people who are having the same issues landing a job with AHS. I have expanded my scope and have applied to units that I am less interested in. I also tried to volunteer at the Children's Hospital (which I hope to work at), but I cannot because I need to commit to a one year FIXED schedule, and as we all know, in nursing you can't commit to a fixed schedule due to being on call and shift work. I have a lot of volunteering experience and have also worked as a nursing student and healthcare aid. I am running out of hope and idea. Any suggestions on how to get a job as an external candidate in AHS would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading my rant!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

Your thread has been moved to the Canadian forum for a more focused response. By the way, although I am in the US, I've been cognizant that Alberta has had a glut of nurses for the past few years. Hence, job openings are few and far between. Good luck to you!

[Fiona59]

The only way into AHS is try, try again.

Mobility within the system is almost stagnant. The much heralded workplace utilization project has left nurses not wanting to move to a unit that has need been target yet.

Even for nurses already in the system it is almost impossible to move. Especially over the summer.

Apply for casual lines, temporary lines, anything and everything.

It's hard and it's getting harder.

[itsmejuli]

Welcome to nursing in Alberta.

[blissity]

Must be willing to relocate. Where are you applying? Is it mostly urban centres like Calgary? Try applying to rural north areas. E.g Slave lake, lac la Biche, Etc. Pick places that are maybe 1-2hrs outside of Edmonton. That way if you need to go to city, it's not that bad of a commute. You just have to broaden your choices. Full-time work is available so don't be discouraged.

[blissity]

P.S. You can also try Olds, Ab which is 45 mins outside of Calgary. They are willing to take on new graduates if you show them willingness to commit to a year or two of work. Try giving the hiring manager there a call. Not sure if the shift schedule is something you are interested in though. Last time I checked it was permanent part time nights or something but that may have changed. Good luck with everything.

[graduatenurse2014]

Thank you for all of the replies. I am okay with casual or part time work as in NB that is all that is available for new grads until they build seniority for quite a few years. I cannot broaden my search to places two hours away as my boyfriend works in Calgary and we have signed a lease for a year. I did receive a phone call for an interview, so hopefully that works out!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Try applying to rural areas, LTC, clinics, anything to get in somewhere. Nursing in Alberta has been brutal for the last three years. Everyone is working short, no one is really hiring.

As Fiona says, even for those of us in the system it's difficult. Many of those postings will never be filled. At my workplace, they don't even bother calling people on the casual list. You work short or someone floats.

I would start looking at another Province, although they're all more or less the same. Just apply for everything.

[graduatenurse2014]

Thank you all for your advice, I did get offered a job with AHS!