I am a new grad RN that cannot find a job. I graduated in April and passed the NCLEX shortly after. I applied to the Nursing guarantee initiative and unfortunately did not find a job, now I am stuck feeling so depressed. I have applied ALL OVER Ontario, also Nunavut, I have sent so far OVER 240 resumes with only one response. I went to the interview, stayed over night since it was 8 hours away from where I lived and bombed it because I was so nervous, not only that I was not prepared for medication type of questions (
I have had my resume looked over by TWO employment agency services. I change my cover letter for each job postings.
I have contacted the RNAO for help but they are useless, I have emailed the lady that reviews resumes 3 times and I doubt she even read my email since she has not even responded.
I have contacted health force ontario which claims to be committed to supporting nurses and they are also useless, I was told just to keep applying for jobs from the HFO and RNAO sites.
I have applied for a job in the U.S and they called me within a week. However, I was not aware of the LONG and EXPENSIVE process to become licensed in the U.S. So as of right now I want to focus on getting a job here in Ontario. Of course if I am still out of luck I will have no choice but to apply to the U.S.
I have become very depressed and I cry all the time, I am so frustrated that most jobs require at least 1 year experience, I am also frustrated when I see nurses complain about their shifts when theres nurses that cannot find work that would die for that chance.
As bad as it sounds I would work for less, I love nursing I would take a big pay cut just for the opportunity to work as a nurse, unfortunately with unions I know that is not possible but if it was I would do it.
I need help, places that would give a new grad a chance.
@lesley, if the postings are internal postings and you are an internal applicant you apply for both. If you are an external applicant your application and resume may not even be looked at, if the hospital's software screens applications for keywords then only applications from internal candidates will be selected.
@lesley find out if the employer accepts general external applications and if they hold them on file for six months, (the information is sometimes on the HR website).
If you are contacting RNAO about your struggle finding a nursing job, can you ask them to include advice from a few hospital human resources managers? Your thread has brought up many points for discussion, such as RNs applying for non-nursing positions, is this a viable strategy? why or why not? New grads applying repeatedly for internal positions, does HR look at these applications or do they remain in cyberspace? Northern nursing positions are new grads suitable?
My professor told us there's some Canadian RNs work in Buffalo while they stay in GTA. Win-win situation, plus US $ is way better. Commute is not bad if you have a car, and gas in cheap in the States. I think this only applies to nurses with NCLEX certificate.
I have not posted for a loooong time. Some people are not helpful, but critical. I have over 12 yrs as an RN with advanced certifications that I have paid out of pocket. I have had the same experience. Employers love you part-time and casual. The new grad initiative is abused by many, as new grads are chewed up and spit out. In some cases they are hired over the experienced because they are at a cheaper pay rate. There are very few real jobs in Canada. There are fake job postings for full-time positions that don't exist. I caught two hospitals posting fake jobs and reported the listings. It is a method of gathering applications in case there is a need (vacation, maternity leave, etc.). I have been repeatedly promised, over the years, a full-time position if I take the temp, casual, or part-time. I am looking at returning to the U.S., so...good for you, Depressed RN. Oh, and I had the same experience (maybe worse) when I contacted Health Force Ontario and RNAO. RNAO does advertise and promote itself for seeking employment, as well. As far as Home Health and LTC are concerned, if you are out of the hospital acute care system, many hospitals will ask you to take refresher courses before they will consider hiring you again into the hospital system. Depressed nurse is obviously having a hard time, and feeling vulnerable, I would ask anyone with any decency, don't beat people when they're down.
Some nurses are very bitter and can be brutal, unfortunately.
I believe that many of these facilities are all about saving money so they would prefer a new grad or less experienced nurse when it comes down to dollars. But they don't even hire new grads, I just don't get it. HFO is such a waste of time, RNAO is a waste of time. I understand that it is my responsibility to go out and get a job but I hate that they mislead nurses, saying they are here to help but when you contact them they say they can't help you! When I ask where the opportunities are, they say there are many opportunities throughout the province *rolls eyes*.
It is also unfortunate that hospitals are allowed to post these fake postings. It takes time creating a new cover letter and answering these questionnaires. It is just sickening.
There are REAL shortages in rural U.S. They are trying ways to keep and recruit new grads. When I spoke to the recruiter in North Dakota she couldn't believe that rural Ontario would be difficult to find a job when they have a problem in rural U.S finding staff. If given the opportunity (legally of course), I would work towards staying there if I could! I honestly would not return to Canada if possible. If they are willing on giving me a chance, I would be the most loyal nurse ever!!!
I was sad at first that I have to go to a different country just for work but there is absolutely no point staying here. Being in a clinic does not increase my chances of working in a hospital, it counts for nothing here. I would suggest with your experience to go to the U.S. The hiring system here is so messed up.
I would like to thank everyone for their responses and private messages!!!!!!!!
I really appreciate it. I would like everyone to know that I accepted the EMERGENCY ROOM position in NORTH DAKOTA!!!!! I had a good cry today, I literally cried like a baby when I got the call that I got the job...nobody can understand how grateful I am. Honestly I am beyond grateful that they gave me a chance and not only that....its in the speciality I wanted to work in!!!!!! it is so unreal. Im crying while i leave this message!!!!!!
Also I apologize for the late replies on the private messages, I did not check those in awhile and also a couple of the individuals that I did not get to reply back to...you have exceeded your messages?!?! I guess you need to delete some messages from your inbox!!!
I would like to thank everyone for their responses and private messages!!!!!!!!
I really appreciate it. I would like everyone to know that I accepted the EMERGENCY ROOM position in NORTH DAKOTA!!!!! I had a good cry today, I literally cried like a baby when I got the call that I got the job...nobody can understand how grateful I am. Honestly I am beyond grateful that they gave me a chance and not only that....its in the speciality I wanted to work in!!!!!! it is so unreal. Im crying while i leave this message!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone!!!!!
wow that's amazing. congratulations! I hope it goes well for you!
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dishes, BSN, RN
3,950 Posts
@lesley, if the postings are internal postings and you are an internal applicant you apply for both. If you are an external applicant your application and resume may not even be looked at, if the hospital's software screens applications for keywords then only applications from internal candidates will be selected.