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Can any of you fine people tell me about the state of nursing in Ontario? Specifically wages, contract negotiations and what is necessary to go into a specialty area (like OR, PEDs or ICU) interest me.

Also can anyone tell me if it is true that landlords can't refuse to rent to pet owners unless their animals are loud or cause damage? I heard this from someone and want to know if it is true. I am planning on moving somewhere in the next year and I have a little dog to think about. If it's as hard to find housing for pets in Ontario as in BC I'll definitely be going south of the border!

Thanks!

Fergus

Our ONA (Ontario Nurses Association) contract was up in March of this year. It is now in binding arbitration. Nurses in Ontario DO NOT have the right to strike......so we work away, contract or no contract and are working at last years wages. There will be retroactive pay when the thing is finally settled.

You can find out more- including a copy of our last agreement at the ONA website. http://www.ona.org/

I have just recently graduated (however I am over 40) and I started at 20.50 the top RN in Ontario right now is making 30.24 an hour. There are lots of jobs around- full time- but I would stay close to the larger centres and go to a teaching hospital. Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston. But that is just my personal opinion.

I don't know about pets and rentals.......sorry.

Fergus

Ohya, a speciality area. Although I am a recent grad, I am interested in ICU. I have started a Critical Care Nursing Course which is a diploma program that is run over one year part time. Some of the really big centres will train you and even pay for the course. I am in a smaller centre at a teaching hospital so the course is up to me to get. However, when done, I will be paid more per month ( 15 or 20 bucks more) but hey...... it is money.

I know in the smaller centres...they will orientate you to the ICU without the course.....but that is not the route I wanted to take. I am currently working on a surgical floor, that has a step down unit on it. Great experience. That is the other thing they will look for recent acute care experience.

Good Luck!

Thanks JMP.

We don't have the right to strike either and our gov't won't even go to arbitration. They just impose a contract on us and say we can't even resign en masse because that would constitute an illegal strike. This last contract is the main reason I am leaving.

I am not very impressed with the pay scale in Ontario. My friend makes more working at a library while going to school (21$an hour with holiday pay).

I am also not impressed with the fact that we need to pay for a year long course to go into any specialty area (even experienced RNs) when a lot of hospitals in the States will give new grads great orientation/training packages in specialty areas right out of school. But that's beside the point isn't it? My mom lives in Ontario and wants me to move out there, but I think I just might go to the Eastern US. It's hard to decide.

Fergus

A couple of points, first I was speaking as a new grad, wanting the ICU. IF you have experience, then I am sure you could get a job in your area- but you see, I don't have the experience. However, there are experienced nurses who want to take these courses, esp if they are wanting to move around....the course is great for that purpose too.

Another thing, yes as a new grad my base rate is 20.50 but with the in lieu of ( benefits, etc.) since I am part time- I make about 25.00 an hour- of course there are shift premiums for nights and weekends.

What is the pay like in BC?

Fergus. I will speak from what I know. First of all I live in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) The apartment situation here is tough. The general rule anywhere is no dogs, cats yes, other quiet pets yes. That is if you can find an apartment that suits your needs and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. For downtown TO it will probable run you $1400-$1500/month. In the burbs more around $1200-1300 for a two room apt $100 dallors less for a 1 bedroom. From what my friends say theres not really a problem finding a place in Ottawa, same rules apply.

As for a specialty, take your pick there all crying for experienced nurses and are willing to train. Most of the downtown hospitals work with allot of agency in there speciality areas d/t lack of experienced nurses applying. My self I just move hospitals and areas. Going from being a surgical nurse to working in Hemodialysis (best move yet). I'm only 4 years out of school and places where lining up to give me an offer.

Like BC, the Nursing situation is tense and frustration is through the moon.(a general plague to nursing). In my opinion if I wasn't married I would more than likely go to the states where their are better working conditions. More respect.

Thanks Polarbear. The States are still on my list. I was thinking of either NorthEastern US or Washington/California/Arizona. But working conditions and respect are just as much of a problem in a lot of places there too. I was interested in Ont. because I have family there and would have liked to stay in Canada.

JMP, pay is going to be up to 32$ eventually. BUT- that is after 9 years, not the 6 it used to take us to get to the top of the pay scale. I think new grads right now are starting at about 22-23$. Not fab compared to the wages that are luring nurses to the US, but it is considered good by our standards eh? The big problem with the lates contract was the concessions like no designated days off for part timers and calling in of casuals not being based on seniority in certain conditions. To me it seems like they have no incentive to give us full time work anymore, and I am sick of being a casual working full time, but getting no benefits.

Actually the starting rate is $20.50 + in Leu for part-timers. drop the leu if fulltime

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