Lots of experience but no jobs out there

[RNT.T.]

Although I am new to this forum, have been reading your posts for years. I really need help this time. I've spent the majority of my career working in the US but due to health and family issues, I quit my job, took care of what I needed to take care of and am ready, willing and able to work closer to home, in Canada. The problem is, there aren't amy jobs in Windsor/Essex region of Ontario (where I reside). I'm posting this thread, seeking both your collective wisdom, suggestions on what to do in the meantime as well as any possible job leads. I have BScN, and years of experience in critical care, as well as a little LTC and health education in the community. Having a hard time coping right now because I never ever tought I would be in this situation:crying2:, I would greatly appreciate your help, thanks!

[Fiona59]

It's not just Ontario. Nurses across Canada are finding it difficult to find that first job or make a move into a new area.

I'm surprized by your post though. There are certain posters who have told us that there is no job shortage in Ontario and those of us who have said there is are just plain wrong.

Your best bet is to keep applying, especially for "casual positions". They get your foot in the door and local experience.

Out here in Alberta, all acute care positions except managerial are union and for the longest time new hires just weren't happening. When the hiring process "defrosted" full time lines went to part-timers already in the system with new hires going into casual and part time limes.

Good luck, Ontario appears to be going through what the rest of the nation went through 2-3 years ago.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Out here in Alberta... when the hiring process "defrosted" full time lines went to part-timers already in the system with new hires going into casual and part time lines.

Except where I work, part-time lines are highly coveted and so they usually go to full-timers who want to decrease their FTEs and have been denied. There have been a couple of grievances filed over the distribution/awarding of part-time lines too, based on the "if-all-else-is-equal" criteria. Seniority is not as highly-prized on our unit, it's about what specialized skills you have that someone else doesn't and how you interview. Our managers have weighted the interview higher than anything else and aren't above coaching their chosen candidate to a better score on their interview.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

It's a competitive job market, in some health care facilities there are far more applicants than jobs and nurse managers are screening resumes to see if the applicant has membership in RNAO. I don't know if you are aware but RNAO has a Winsdor/Essex Chapter, joining RNAO and volunteering to help the chapter may be a good way to network with RNs and may even lead to job prospects.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You're right about RNAO. I gave up my membership because I moved, but if I ever return to ON, I would sign up again. One of my nursing instructors is also a hiring manager. When I was at school, she made a point of telling everyone that if you weren't a member of RNAO, she wouldn't hire you because, she said, those applicants aren't as committed.

I doubt that's true, but when you want a job, you have to put your best foot forward. ON is definitely not lucrative for jobs. Just keep applying. You may even need to relocate.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

You might get some ideas on job searching from the articles written by donna cardillo on her website http://www.dcardillo.com/articles.html

Are you open to returning to school? You can check out the masters program at university of Windsors open house

and/or check out the various distance education certification courses for example diabetes educator at the Michener

http://www.michener.ca/ce/postdiploma/diabetes_educator.php

or enterstomal therapy through caet

Are you open to leaving bedside nursing and becoming a sales representative for a company that manufacture healthcare products or pharmaceuticals? I have met a few nurses who are doing this, one got started by writing letters to the companies of products she had used while working as a nurse in critical care. She was hired by a company that manufactures dressing supplies and has been with the company for several years.

These are all the ideas I can come up with for now, will let you know if i think of anything else.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Here is the link for the caet's enterstomal therapy course http://www.caetacademy.ca/

ET nurses are sought after by the homecare nursing organizations, such as Bayshore, St Elizabeth and VON

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Two good websites to watch when searching for a nursing job in Ontario are http://www.healthforceontario.ca/

and http://ontarionursing.ca/

Looks like Bayshore has a manager position open in Windsor http://ontarionursing-ca.sitepreview.ca/id-27405-location_id-102-jobtype-6-apply.html

[RNT.T.]

Thanks for your replies everyone, it helps to hear from other Canadian nurses out there. Dishes, thanks for the links and great suggestions :)