Jose9

I remember working in a whole new hospital. It definitely takes time and it took me at least 2 months to feel comfortable. I walked into the supply room and it took forever just to find a simple thing. Using different computer programs and looking up policies takes longer than usual. I definitely asked for help a lot the first couple of weeks. I had a small notebook and would write down all the things I would probably forget. You can also talk to the clinical educator on your unit for anything you need help with. It will get easier once you get more comfortable and are there for a while.

Any updates on your job hunt? I am about to start my process as well and wondering how its going since I will be in the same position as you are. I'm also looking to get into the surgery & sub-acute/rehabilitation units.

Oh RNs do 6 shifts in a row, I'm assuming its 8 hour shifts. Are most hospital/units 8 hour shifts? In BC, majority are 12 hour with the rotation being 2 days, 2 nights and then 4-5 days off. Also 8 patients total for 1 team (RN,LPN, NA) doesn't sound too bad. 4 pts each for the nurses with an assistant. On my unit in BC, we have same concept but no nurse assistance.

For casuals on my surgical unit, you get about 6-7 shifts pre-booked per month. The rest of shifts you get from short calls like staff calling in sick. For full time, it's mostly 2 days, 2 nights and then 4-5 days off. That's the normal rotation for full time lines.

I think I would take the telenursing job. You have 1 year experience as a medical/surgical nurse which will look great on your resume as most places ask for minimum 1-2 years experience wherever you apply. You can always go back or apply to different med-surg units if the telenursing job isn't what you expected. Also, it seems like telenursing isn't a common job because I don't see much postings about those position. So I think try the telenursing and see how it goes.

I would also like to know the answers to those questions Libby just posted. Would be of great help!

Yeah I'm planning on moving to Calgary and also wondering what is the nurse to patient ratio. From what I read and hear its 6 patients to 1 nurse. Can anyone from Alberta let us know what unit they work on and their ratio?

So usually in Vancouver, the units hire their employed student nurse (ESN) and preceptors first. That's because ESN have worked 400-800 hours on the unit while the preceptors have worked practically 3-4 months full time. So the staff knows them very well and will vouch for them if they are good. But I notice medical units are constantly looking for casuals because they are so short staff. So even if the medical unit isn't where you want to be, I suggest you apply there casually to get your foot in the door. That way, you can find internal postings and hopefully transfer to the unit you want to be in.

No I'm not aware of recent government changes. Are they cutting down healthcare workers?

On the units I've worked, casuals usually get 5-8 shifts prebooked per month & they usually do short notice pickup from sick calls to get full time hours per month.

IN BC, usually surgical/ortho is 1:4-5. Medical is 1:5-6. Cardiac 1:4, ER 1:5-6

I'm starting my initial registration to work In Alberta coming from BC. Hearing that you have applied in AHS 75 times with no calls or interview is very discouraging. Have you tried to apply to private companies? I have 8 years working in BC, I will try to apply to AHS as well but it seems like I have to start off at a private company before getting into AHS.

Usually they hire their preceptors & ESN first. I work at Surrey Memorial Hospital and notice medical units are always short and under staff. You can try to apply as casual to the medical units to get your foot in the door. Because once your in the hospital, your able to see all the internal postings and just apply to units your interested in. You can also look for a job in a private company, get some experience and build your resume. Then in one year you should be able to find a casual position in the hospital

Here is a link to BC nurse wage grid. https://www.bcnu.org/Contracts-Bargaining/Documents/NBA_Wage_Grid.pdf Usually new graduates work casual and after 1 year are able to find a PT or FT position.