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.
Apply for everything, even those positions that stipulate 1 year experience. The worst they can say is no.
If you want to work in the ER, after 1 year of acute care or med surg experience you'll be more competitive. Many recent grads transition to the ER this way.
Specializes in Obstetrics, perioperative, Infection Con.
Have you thought about moving to BC? The BC health authorities and the BCNU (BC nurses union) have just signed a deal to hire a lot of new nurses by March 31st 2016.
Long term care will gladly take you. THEY ARE NOT PICKY!!! My managers used to say new grad RN's don't want to come to LTC. They want someone to follow the rules, to be able to do the job well. If you show dedication and the willingness to work.. they will hire you.
@companisbiki, LTCs in Toronto are not in need of many RNs, they are more interested in experienced RPNs and PSWs. RNs are expensive and new grads require mentoring. Whereas, an experienced RPN is cost effective and they will be more likely to catch subtle changes and rescue patients than a new grad RN who has not been mentored.
@silverdragon, no nurse in Canada should every work a 24 hour shift because 'they' cannot find a replacement when 'they' (the director of nursing and manager) are nurses themselves. If a nurse is being told by their manager or DON that they need to work 24hours, the nurse should decline citing personal fatigue, patient safety and violation of labour law as their reasons. The manager or director can work 16 hours to cover patient care.
@companisbiki, LTCs in Toronto are not in need of many RNs, they are more interested in experienced RPNs and PSWs. RNs are expensive and new grads require mentoring. Whereas, an experienced RPN is cost effective and they will be more likely to catch subtle changes and rescue patients than a new grad RN who has not been mentored.
We hire many new grads in LTC where I work and most are very overwhelmed. They lack the assessment, prioritization and delegation skills required. Residents are more acute than ever. New grads really do need to be mentored, rather than trying to cope with competing demands and 30+ residents on one shift.
Try home health? There's a home health agency in Ottawa that was ready to hire me when I was there for 6 months. I think they're called Bayshore Home health. Also try small clinics, Doctors Offices, you might have to go apply personally.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
@silverdragon, no nurse in Canada should every work a 24 hour shift because 'they' cannot find a replacement when 'they' (the director of nursing and manager) are nurses themselves. If a nurse is being told by their manager or DON that they need to work 24hours, the nurse should decline citing personal fatigue, patient safety and violation of labour law as their reasons. The manager or director can work 16 hours to cover patient care.
I wish, out of 4 managers none have come in when short and let me go home. I am allowed to sleep and the CCA can come and get me but I can never sleep properly
You have to insist silverdragon, the responsibility is on management, even it means they need to come in and relieve you. The law is on your side, and the college of nurses is as well, you are obligated to stand up for what is safest for the patients.
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joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
Apply for everything, even those positions that stipulate 1 year experience. The worst they can say is no.
If you want to work in the ER, after 1 year of acute care or med surg experience you'll be more competitive. Many recent grads transition to the ER this way.