New Grad RN: Moving from BC to Alberta

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Hi everyone, I was hoping on getting some insight from AB nurses or any BC nurses who ended up moving to AB. I am a new grad RN as of May and was able to quite easily get hired into 2 casual positions here in metro Vancouver. After re-evaluating my long term goals, I am seriously considering moving to AB because cost of living is overwhelming for me and I would soon like to own my first home and settle down, etc.

However, I have been reading older allnurses posts and getting a bit discouraged. From what I've been reading, it seems quite difficult to get hired as an external applicant in Alberta. Is this true? Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for a smoother transition for an RN moving from BC to AB? My boyfriend and some of my family will be moving to Edmonton this month so I would like to start gathering some info. I will likely stay and work/build experience here in BC for at least 6-8 months since I am still a new grad and believe that I will learn a lot in my current positions. Thanks in advance!

Apply and see what happens. Especially if you are willing to start in a casual or temp position (tonnnnes of them out there), it is your foot in the door and you never know where an opportunity will lead. Building some experience in the mean time will, of course, only be in your favor.

1 hour ago, 9nurse9 said:

Apply and see what happens. Especially if you are willing to start in a casual or temp position (tonnnnes of them out there), it is your foot in the door and you never know where an opportunity will lead. Building some experience in the mean time will, of course, only be in your favor.

thank you so much! i appreciate the information :)

Specializes in 1 year experience in ER.

If you're willing to commute, consider rural hospital as well, there's fewer applicants there which may help you land position there.

Background: AB Aug 2017 grad, started in rural ER now working in trauma centre ER

On 7/28/2019 at 3:51 AM, Yingtsay said:

If you're willing to commute, consider rural hospital as well, there's fewer applicants there which may help you land position there.

Background: AB Aug 2017 grad, started in rural ER now working in trauma centre ER

Hi! I saw a lot of postings from one of the ER in Edmonton, RAH. Usually, when a unit hires so many constantly, it shows a toxic environment to work/bad management or they're really short and the turnover rate is too high. Do you know anything? Thanks in advance ?

3 hours ago, hellohobbit said:

Hi! I saw a lot of postings from one of the ER in Edmonton, RAH. Usually, when a unit hires so many constantly, it shows a toxic environment to work/bad management or they're really short and the turnover rate is too high. Do you know anything? Thanks in advance ?

Was recently a patient there. It's a whole other world of weird. Inner City problems, drugs, mental health issues are huge, it's the first line of call for many inner city residents for all routine medical care. Major traumas wind up there. The staff I met for the most part were fine, did their job and were pleasant with their patients. A couple were best left undescribed.

A lot of new grads jump at any opening to get into the system and then move off of units to get where they want to be.

Several units at RAH are undergoing rotation changes and they are bad. Fewer days off for 12 hour shift people and the 8 hour shifts are working 6 straight in the RN lines and 7 straight in the LPN lines. I know several people who want to get out of units which were considered "good" units to work because of the rotations.

The thing with AHS is nobody knows what the current government has planned. The threat of wage cuts are hanging over our heads and the lack of contracts and the avoidance of the government in negotiating is ticking people off. Google Bill 9.

Specializes in Indigenous Health, Virtual Care & Medicine.

I have been working in BC with a focus on Indigenous community health for the past 1.5 years since graduation and have recently moved to Edmonton about 2 months ago. Applied for AB license this May while I was finishing off my work in BC. Just landed a position in a major hospital for med/surg. It's definitely possible. There are a lot of openings right now, and you can also consider Covenant health.

Feel free to DM if you have any further questions about the application/transition process.

8 hours ago, Parrhesia said:

I have been working in BC with a focus on Indigenous community health for the past 1.5 years since graduation and have recently moved to Edmonton about 2 months ago. Applied for AB license this May while I was finishing off my work in BC. Just landed a position in a major hospital for med/surg. It's definitely possible. There are a lot of openings right now, and you can also consider Covenant health.

Feel free to DM if you have any further questions about the application/transition process.

Thank you so much for offering your help! I will definitely reach out when I become more certain that I am actually moving to AB. Did you have any med surg work experience while in BC at all or was your experience all community work?

Specializes in Indigenous Health, Virtual Care & Medicine.
17 hours ago, jpgk17 said:

Thank you so much for offering your help! I will definitely reach out when I become more certain that I am actually moving to AB. Did you have any med surg work experience while in BC at all or was your experience all community work?

Not a problem at all and glad to help! I was doing full time community health/home care and casual bedside, but to be honest, I didn't do as many hours as I'd hope for the hospital since my primary job was a lot on the plate already. So I would still consider myself quite new to med/surg right now. I'm so far really liking it here in Edmonton.

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