Question about New Grad Initiative - Ontario

heartnursing · Feb 3, 2012

Im pretty sure its not guaranteed, you have to apply online hfojobs.ca and and be granted an interview with a potential employer that is interested in you. I was under the impression that is was strictly and initaitve and nothing was a guarantee. I was also in contact with a hospital here in Ontarion and they said this program may or may even be continuing after this April.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 3, 2012

Not all employers are participating in the initiative.sometimes the trick is finding one.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

The guarantee means that an employer's request for funding to support a new grad position is 100 percent guaranteed within the parameters of the initiative, it does not mean every new grad is guaranteed a position. Many employers cannot meet the parameter of ensuring that a permanent position is available after completion of the supernumerary position, so there has been a decline in the number of employers using the initiative.

For publications on the positive results of the new grad initiative look under Nursing Health Services Research Unit-Publications-New Graduate Publications | NHSRUThere are no publications on the negative results of the new grad initiative, but considering that over the past 5 years, the Ontario government has spent 85 million dollars on the initiative and the province is in a massive deficit that is projected to continue until at least 2017 or 2018. I am not convinced that the Ontario government can justify continued spending on the initiative.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

I think it may be a little better, but during the last 2 years, there weren't very many postings for new grads through HFO. Nothing is guaranteed. I graduated in 2010, and many of us left ON. The other issue with HFO is that after 6 months, if there is no money in the budget, you aren't hired on as regular staff. This happened to at least 5 grads I knew.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

The employers who do not hire new grads into permanent positions following completion of the initiative are required to pay the Ontario government back. The catch to the new grad initiative, is that it is only a good opportunity for employers who have adequate vacancies to hire the new grads into permanent positions. If they cannot hire the new grad and have to pay the money back, it is waste of the employer's money.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

Fair enough, but I know for a fact that some people were not hired after HFO, because the money wasn't there. There isn't a guarantee, and Ontario in particular is one of the hardest hit right now in terms of deficit, so I'm not surprised.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

I have known new grads who were not hired after the initiative as well and it makes me question the employer's planning abilities. I think the financial burden of the new grad initiative is too much for the current economic climate, and believe that once the money is used up, the initiative will not be renewed. Instead new grads will be hired in casual positions and will work they way into permanent jobs.

cassandra

Ideally every new grad would be guaranteed a job, but that's not realistic. You need to base your career plans on realistic information and the new grad initiative is idealistic information,suggest you start looking for more options to get hired after graduation.

dishes

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2012

Be open to working in a small town somewhere for a year. You'll learn valuable skills. There are more opportunities in rural areas, because most people are attracted to the cities. Too many applicants for a handful of jobs in the cities....not just ON, but across Canada. If you are flexible, you will find work. A year goes faster than you think. I've been gone from TO for more than a year. Yes, I miss the city, but I'm enjoying my job, and I now have more options than I would as a new grad. The move was well worth it.

27400 · Feb 5, 2012

It's still similar to a regular hiring process 1) you apply for an HFO - nggi position, 2) possibly go for an interview and, if it's successful you'll 3) possibly land a job for 6 months guaranteed. There's a lot of nursing graduates coming from different schools, so it is highly competitive. Just keep applying everywhere and don't just rely on new graduate guarantee. I think one of my mistakes as a pre-grad is that I didn't start applying in February, so start applying NOW. I find that most hospitals and health care institutions have a lot of posting between January till April-May. It was really difficult for me to find a job in the summer. Another challenge I found during the job search process is that there seems to be a lot of postings but those posting require you to have X amount of experience or X certificate to work on these units (which I currently found out that taking these courses weren't mandated, so technically you don't have to take them to be hired. It's up to your employer's discretion if they want you to take it). There's a lot of options to choose from but it might not be something you like at first. Right now, I'm working outside of the GTA. My plan is to do 1 year here and go back to the GTA once I'm semi-comfortable with the nursing skills I've acquired. I wish to move sooner but I have OSAP to pay back and rent is cheaper here than the GTA. I'm also looking towards attaining certification on a nursing specialty so that I can apply to those jobs after my one year of experience.

Newgrad_STAT · Feb 6, 2012

Don't get your hopes up... it is definitely NOT guaranteed.

They always say "just check HFO" there aren't that many positions posted.

Usually if you get an interview at a hospital or well known facility they may bring it up if you're still considered a new grad.

But it's hard as hell out here :bluecry1:

I graduated before you. Yes people found jobs... but that does not mean everyone. Employers have tons of options and are picky

Like I said it's really hard :down:

27400 · Feb 7, 2012

To be honest, your best bet is to ACE your consolidating placement. Start talking to the manager and even if they're not hiring now who's to say they won't be hiring 2 months from the time you hand out your resume.