Seeking advice: Where can I go in Canada to get lots of hours!

[Mike32110]

Alright guys, so here is my situation. I am graduating this April from an RN program in Calgary. I am interested in pediatrics, as well as Psychiatry, but also feel that I should spend a couple years in a general acute care/medical environment so that I can build up some experience. So in short, I have no real IMMEDIATE preference for the area of nursing that I am in.

I ended up doing two degrees back to back without any parental support, and will be graduating with around 75,000 in student debt, most student loans but some a LOC. In addition, I currently work almost F/T, as well as take on a F/T course load. Therefore, I would find it really hard to adjust to a casual job in which I am not even getting F/T hours.

I am interested in working in an area that would basically guarantee me lots of hours, ESPECIALLY overtime, due to my unfortunate financial circumstances.

I'm okay with working in a rural environment, but I don't want to be overloaded with a huge scope of practice (not that these places would hire new grads anyway).

I have no real attachment to staying in Calgary at all, and essentially the whole world is my oyster right now.

I have been thinking of getting a job in BC Northern Health Region, and living in a place like fort st john, dawnsons creek, fort nelson, etc.

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks so much in advanced!

Mike

[Fiona59]

Reality check time. Nursing doesn't guarantee anyone a job. New grads across the country are having a hard time finding the first job.

Overtime, extra shifts for part-timers are offered on a seniority basis and as a new hire, you are at the bottom of the list for the extra shifts.

Most jobs are unionized and there are lots of nurses with seniority picking those shifts up.

I've know new grads in previous years have 3 or 4 jobs as casuals just to make full time wages. And needless to say, casuals rarely get offered OT.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Overtime, extra shifts for part-timers are offered on a seniority basis and as a new hire, you are at the bottom of the list for the extra shifts.

Most jobs are unionized and there are lots of nurses with seniority picking those shifts up.

That isn't absolutely the case everywhere. On my unit, the OT goes to whomever agrees to do it. The staffing office doesn't use the seniority list when they call people at short notice - if they did I'd be called almost every day and I'm not. I think they have a list of people they know will probably say yes and they call them first. I know that if they get to my name on their list, they're truly desperate. We have at least 1 and often as many as 5 people on OT most shifts and many times they're the newbies.

[Fiona59]

Doesn't work that way at RAH. The ones with seniority watch the OT like hawks. Staffing had major problems with calling whomever in the past and it's been "dealt with".

Jan, your unit is specialized and does it book it's own staff or use central staffing? There is a big difference.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We book our own. Central staffing doesn't have anybody they can send us. Seems like our unit "gets away" with a lot of things that don't happen anywhere else.

[loriangel14, RN]

Reality check time. Nursing doesn't guarantee anyone a job. New grads across the country are having a hard time finding the first job.

Overtime, extra shifts for part-timers are offered on a seniority basis and as a new hire, you are at the bottom of the list for the extra shifts.

Most jobs are unionized and there are lots of nurses with seniority picking those shifts up.

I've know new grads in previous years have 3 or 4 jobs as casuals just to make full time wages. And needless to say, casuals rarely get offered OT.

Yeah it works that way where I am too Fiona. If you are new grad you not get very many of the OT shifts.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Where I work OT is given to whom ever wants it first! Shifts go to the person who calls back first and says "Yes". Some people do get called first - usually because they are more likely to say Yes. I won't waste time calling someone who won't work a night shift for example, when I'm trying to get a sick call covered.

We are non-union by the way, so that might make the differance.

[loriangel14, RN]

Oh yeah, nonunion makes a big difference.Our contract spells out very explicitly who to call and in what order.

[Mike32110]

Reality check time. Nursing doesn't guarantee anyone a job. New grads across the country are having a hard time finding the first job.

Overtime, extra shifts for part-timers are offered on a seniority basis and as a new hire, you are at the bottom of the list for the extra shifts.

Most jobs are unionized and there are lots of nurses with seniority picking those shifts up.

I've know new grads in previous years have 3 or 4 jobs as casuals just to make full time wages. And needless to say, casuals rarely get offered OT.

Well I am not so much concerned about OT, if I were able to get 4 casual jobs that would have me working 40-60 hours a week without OT, I would be more than happy.

Is this a realistic possibility?

[Fiona59]

Apply everywhere and anywhere. If you can land one part time line, you are pretty much set. Places love reliable casuals. Usually it's medi centres, walk in clinics, homeless centres.

I take it your male by your user name. If you can handle working in the inner city you may have an advantage over some other applicants.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The logistics of having 4 casual positions and trying to fit 40-60 hours a week of work in makes my head spin. Better you than me.

[Fiona59]

The thing that worries me about this plan is new grads need to develop their skills and confidence. I'm not sure about being cared for by a nurse who is in and out of so many different jobs in the same week.

And any nurse who has ever worked 12 hour shifts will tell you that after four you are totally bagged. Five 8's hurt as well.