Hey guys, I looked around the site for a while and this is the only forum I could think to put this in. I apologize if it is incorrect.
Okay, well I will be graduating this April with my RN degree. I am currently in Calgary, and I absolutely hate it here :) (only moved here for school anyway). Well it seems like grads only get hired as casuals in Calgary at first, and apparently it's really hard to get a job at other parts of the province as well (fort mcmurray, etc.). Now I used to live in NJ when I was younger, and have traveled throughout the US extensively.
From what I understand, the US is in a similar job crunch, but I also understand that is largely regional. I do not want to sound greedy, but I just completed two bachelor degrees with no parental support, and have about $70,000 in student loans. So can anyone give me advice on what regions/states have the greatest demand for nurses right now? As in what place would I be the most likely to get hired F/T, as well as what would likely offer the greatest overtime. I obviously did not come into the field for the money, but for the first year or two I need to work wherever will offer me the most income, so I can get rid of this enormous debt.
I have no family here, no dependents, and nothing preventing me from moving anywhere.
So does anyone have any ideas? I really am going in this blind as we don't get much info on the US nursing situation from Canada.
Does this mean we should tell the nurses from Texas that we have working up here to go home?
Oh, and OP, you don't trust Steady Eddie's promise to hire at least 70% of the forthcoming graduating classes? It's a far better promise than my graduating class had a decade ago. You do realize that most US hospitals aren't unionized and the benefits and sick leave that we take for granted up here don't exist down south? Yup, we spend more than a few hours explaining the difference between sick leave and vacation time to American imports.
The grass isn't greener over the 49th.
Lol yes, I do miss the idea of 1 year Maternity leave, great overtime pay (double time in alberta), cheap health insurance and strong unions! But I love being in AK as well so it is what it is.
:) I'm Canadian living in Florida, been here for many years.
I've been an LPN for a year and am in school for RN.
The economy here in FL is so bad that both of my sons have gone to Edmonton. Imagine relocating from Tampa Bay to Edmonton :) Both of my sons are working in good jobs and have a bright future in Alberta.
Next year I will apply for Alberta LPN license and consider moving to Alberta. The future isn't looking bright here for new grad RNs or anyone else for that matter.
Not to be mean and please don't take this wrong. How about staying in your country. As you can tell on this site that new grads and old nurses are having a really hard time finding work. So what makes you think you can just come down here and get a job? i know it sounds mean but were fighting immigration right now as well.
I just think you should if your a Nurse up there you should stay up there and help your fellow man. If there is no work up there it's no better here read the forms there are nurses filling bankruptcy because they can't find work and those who have jobs will do anything to keep them even go on salary and that in it's self is wrong because on salary they can work you like a dog. And would if you can't find a job here what then you go back to Canada or do you stay here and jump on the band wagon like so many and we support you?
Like i said i know it sounds mean but if you read what i am saying you will see its more of a concern then being mean. I would tell you come here and good luck but in this case and unemployment at almost 10% Just worried... These are my thoughts use them as you wish
Wow, well I will try and respond in a diplomatic way here. First of all, I was asking about areas with really high demand for Nurses in the US so I can get lots of hours. If Americans were willing to relocate to these regions to get a job then the demand would not be as high. Furthermore, in the areas with very low demand for RN's, nobody is putting a gun to anyone's head forcing them to live in the same place. I am not trying to go to the place with no demand and create further competition.
I won't buy into any nationalistic BS, I got into Nursing to help people, not Canadians. I plan on doing Nursing w/o borders when I can afford it too :).
From what I'm reading it sounds like the job demand for Nurses is very regional, as in there are some places with lots of demand and others with very little demand. I've lived in the US for about 5 years before, I know what I'm getting myself into.
Should I tell my instructor who moved here from Texas to go home? My first reaction to hearing that was general pleasure over the fact that some Americans want to move here and check out our awesome country! I find too many American's see the US as the only place to live in the world, so I'm always happy to see yanks come over, except for the real ignorant ones .
Haha, not sure what to think of the US supporting me comment. I'll leave that one alone .
Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it! I see there's a career fair in mid January that I will check out and will probably spend the whole time talking to people. I am glad to see that there is still lots of demand in certain areas!
I've heard the red tape is a bit much at first, but I don't think it's that hard after the initial process.
Just don't get sick. Our healthcare system (not our nurses) suck big hairy donkey balls. I live five blocks from a hospital that is within the healthcare system covered by my insurance. However, my choice of specific doctor means that I have to travel 45 minutes to another hospital get diagnostic tests and non-urgent care.
Depending on your life stage, there are many decisions you have to make with regard to employment in the US. It's not just the job and the take home pay.
Canada = better healthcare system than the United States. I am wishing you good luck in all you do and think you should do whatever makes you most happy but why would you want to deal with OUR healthcare system?? lol
Could you maybe shed some light on how healthcare is different up there in Canada? I know basics, but have never heard from a professional how they feel one way or the other. Thank you, and truly, good luck.
Hey Kim, I was wondering if you could mention any hospitals specifically. I just passed my NCLEX and I need a job offer to apply for my workers visa (I'm from Canada). I would appreciate any help you can give me! :)
Health care is not as focused on business or the bottom line. All Canadians are entitled to comprehensive health care. Costs are paid through income tax, but we don't pay for hospital stays, supplies in hospital, operations or doctor's visits. If you need it, you get it. Nursing is governed largely by unions, which guarantee fair working conditions, benefits, and good pay across the country. The American way seems archaic to me.
What about working in the Northwest territories or Nunavut? I've heard they really do have a nursing shortage there, and that earnings can be higher.
You would be more than welcome in the US. That said, I honestly think Canada has a better future than the US, and you wouldn't have to jump through the lengthy process of NCLEX, foreign transcript review, blah, blah, etc., etc. My Canadian relatives have a much better quality of life (and earnings!) than I do in the US.
Hi Guys, I am a Canadian RN. I already have a stable job however I would like to relocate to the States. I am a little frustrated because it seems like I keep hitting a dead end no matter how I go about this. I can't register for the NCLEX because I have to first register with a nursing board... all of the nursing boards require a SSN ...Being Canadian and not employed in the US, I dont possess a SSN. ANy help on how to go about this? I was hoping to work in Minnesota. Thanks
.
Creamsoda, ASN, RN
728 Posts
Lol yes, I do miss the idea of 1 year Maternity leave, great overtime pay (double time in alberta), cheap health insurance and strong unions! But I love being in AK as well so it is what it is.