New RN looking for Northern Manitoba job...possible?

Published

Hi There! This is my first time on allnurses.com and I am very excited to have found it! I have some questions for those who maybe have some experience working in Northern Canadian communities as an RN. Here is some background information:

I graduated end of 2008 from U of Manitoba with my BN. I am currently living in Portland, OR but not working because the job situation here for new Cdn grads is pretty bad (my husband is currently finishing his DC here). I have about 9 months of experience working in Fort St John, BC as a Mental Health and Addictions Case Manager which I LOVED but had to return to Oregon because I was away from my husband for what felt like too long. My husband and I are planning on moving to Northern Manitoba (specifically The Pas area) to pay off some loans for a few years. Here are my questions:

Because I don't have experience working in the medical/surgical field but have experience working in community would the government of Canada consider negotiating a deal where they provide me with full training almost in a practicum like style for a month or two, in exchange for two years of full time work? I fell that I would need that training to review my nursing skills and to simply get back into a medical like setting (whether on a reserve or not).

Does anybody have experience working on some of the reserves near The Pas? Or in The Pas? It's strange because I can't seem to find any job listings for Northern Manitoba Communities other than a very few on the NOR-MAN health authority website...are they no longer as desperate for nurses up north?? If they are, where do I find these postings?

Thank-you so much for any comments, insights, direction, whatever you can give me!!!! IF YOU ARE A NURSE FROM THE PAS, PLEASE PLEASE CONTACT ME!! I am so excited for this potential opportunity!

Cheers!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Many communities are trying to employ nurses from their own First Nations groups before hiring "outsiders".

Hiring in Canada is pretty grim right now. When there are mass hires, local new grads are being given priority.

No level of government is providing interest free loans or loans in return for service, unless you include the military.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Fiona,

Thanks for the quick reply! I should have clarified...I'm not looking for a loan from the government. I'm simply looking for a negotiation where they provide me with full training in exchange for a signed contract for a year or two of work. The reason this came up was because I contacted the CRNM and requested a letter of recommendation to take the refresher nurse program through Red River in Winnipeg to refresh my skills. They said that since I wrote the CRNE and passed in 2009, I do not qualify for the refresher program. They recommended that I negotiate a thorough training from my employer.

Comments? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

First, I don't remember seeing anybody from The Pas area here. But I might be able to answer your questions. (St B grad, 1994). The only way to find a job in most provinces now is through the health region websites. They dispensed with the paper posting and hand-delivered applications in Manitoba at least 10 years ago. So the Nor-Man website is your go-to. The other option is to go through Health Canada ( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/rapb-dgrp/reg/ms-eng.php ) to look for federal job postings.

What CRNM was suggesting is to ask for an extended orientation. That kind of thing can be negotiated with the hiring manager when they interview you. What you'd do is explain your situation and tell them that you will need some time to refamiiarize yourself with the nursing workplace. Request a minimum of 8 weeks' precepted time with the possibility of extending if you need it. Then dicker from there. If they can employ, orient and retain nurses from non-English-speaking countries successfully, they'll know what to do with you. (To qualify for a refresher you have to be completely out of the nursing world for at least 5 years...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank-you so much for your reply...very helpful and encouraging! If you run into any other information, please share!

Cheers!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

There seems to be lots of job opportunities in nursing in Northern Manitoba

Google Gov of Can Northern Nursing Jobs, then enter Manitoba, I found quite a few jobs in various locales of Northern Manitoba.

Good Luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion