Moving to another Province: Obtain a license or a Job first?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Hi Everyone,

I am currently an OR nurse in Toronto, Ontario, I have recently been thinking a lot of moving to Calgary, Alberta.

I don't want to move out there unless I have a job lined up, can anyone provide any insight on the best way to handle job searching / licensing when you're from another province?

Should I apply for my license there first? (I heard this process takes really long), or should I apply for job positions first and then seek licensure afterwards?

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Don’t move unless you have a job. The job market is horrible right now and we are currently waiting the provincial budget to see how bad it’s going to get. Our province is going to try to roll back our wages.

The market it saturated with bother RNs and LPNs (RPNs in Ontario). It’s taking Nurses I know 2+years to even get an interview with AHS. Bigger centres (Edmonton and Calgary) are even worst.

If you’re set on moving to Calgary, I would apply for your license, then apply for jobs. They won’t look at your resume if you’re not licensed in Alberta. But my advice is to not move if you don’t absolutely have to. Wait a year or two. It’s pretty *** here and with the probably wage role backs, it’s gonna get worst.

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Specializes in Indigenous Health, Virtual Care & Medicine.

I recently moved from BC to Alberta and while I was still working my previous job in BC, I worked on and submitted my application for CARNA. It does take 1-2 months for paperworks to be reviewed and approved so I would suggest you start the process early. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about the whole process.

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I just got my license in AB and I'm applying from Ontario, took me a year because I didn't know all the documents expire after 6 months after submission... I wish they stated this on their website

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

My thinking was maybe the "grass is greener" in Alberta than it is in Ontario (Cheaper real estate, cost of living, etc.), but I guess ill take my time and see what happens before moving out there !

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36 minutes ago, xmaaay said:

Thanks everyone for the replies!

My thinking was maybe the "grass is greener" in Alberta than it is in Ontario (Cheaper real estate, cost of living, etc.), but I guess ill take my time and see what happens before moving out there !

Yeah. I would wait. Things aren’t good right now for nurses. (And Teachers and pretty much the whole public sector). Our government just released a report calling for cuts to healthcare and education. Our budget is due in October, so wait until after that.

Its funny, my husband is originally from Ontario and we’re discussing moving there due to what’s happening here!!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
On 9/3/2019 at 12:22 PM, Parrhesia said:

I recently moved from BC to Alberta and while I was still working my previous job in BC, I worked on and submitted my application for CARNA. It does take 1-2 months for paperworks to be reviewed and approved so I would suggest you start the process early. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about the whole process.

Im not able to PM, but I was wondering how long did it take you to find a job? Are you in Rural / Northern Alberta or did you manage a job in Edmonton/Calgary?

Its so discouraging reading the posts about getting jobs w/ AHS ?

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Specializes in Indigenous Health, Virtual Care & Medicine.
On 9/9/2019 at 7:17 PM, xmaaay said:

Im not able to PM, but I was wondering how long did it take you to find a job? Are you in Rural / Northern Alberta or did you manage a job in Edmonton/Calgary?

Its so discouraging reading the posts about getting jobs w/ AHS ?

Messaged you ! Let me know if you see my message.

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On 9/16/2019 at 6:03 PM, Parrhesia said:

Messaged you ! Let me know if you see my message.

Hey! I'm currently looking for jobs in Edmonton too and I'm from Toronto. Would love to know more about your experience finding jobs in AB!

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Specializes in Indigenous Health, Virtual Care & Medicine.
11 hours ago, hellohobbit said:

Hey! I'm currently looking for jobs in Edmonton too and I'm from Toronto. Would love to know more about your experience finding jobs in AB!

Sure ! I'll send you a message and feel free to let me know what questions you have.

On 9/9/2019 at 7:17 PM, xmaaay said:

Im not able to PM, but I was wondering how long did it take you to find a job? Are you in Rural / Northern Alberta or did you manage a job in Edmonton/Calgary?

Its so discouraging reading the posts about getting jobs w/ AHS ?

Messaged you ! Let me know if you see my message.

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I am registered nurse here in Alberta . It's horrible , I am not able to find out job and even a single interview even applying to 300 + jobs . Please somebody help me with suggestions as I am looking to move to somewhere else .

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