vacation time permanent or casual jobs Toronto

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Hi,

I'm from australia and am about to register in onterio. I'm used to taking 3 months off every year from work to travel (6 weeks paid and 10 weeks leave without pay). I know you only get three weeks paid leave in onterio if your permanent staff (which seems helishly short to someone used to taking a quarter of the year off each year) but do toronto hospitals allow people to take leave without pay if they're permanent? I suspect not but I thought Id ask.

Also, If I were to get a casual position would taking long holidays be frowned upon? obviously you cant be forced to work as a casual but I also know at home casual shifts dry up pretty quickly for nurses if the management decide they don't like for one reason or another. Is it usually an issue if your taking too much holiday time if your casual in toronto?

I know it can be hospital and unit specific for this kind of thing but even getting some general idea would be a great help for me.

Thanks Laura

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

It's highly unlikely that you'll find a full or part time job willing to accommodate 3 consecutive month off. Even if you're taking the time unpaid, you are expected to be available to work like all the other employees. Many facilities will not even approve time off unless you have the vacation time available. Even per diem (casual) jobs have work requirements, such as one day per month, but you're more likely to find something flexible in that kind of arrangement.

Have you considered travel nursing? You could accept 6-12 week assignments at various hospitals and when you want to take your 3 months off, just don't accept a new assignment until you're ready to come back.

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@accountforlaura, have you had your nursing education assessed for equivalency to a Canadian BScN by NNAS?

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I moved to Toronto to be with my partner so travel nursing wouldn't work for me.

I've been assessed and am studying for my NCLEX now

Sounds like casual might be the best option, I know there's big job shortages in Toronto though, is it hard to get hours as a casual?

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I've been assessed and am studying for my NCLEX now

Welcome to Canada! I hope you love it (despite the cold).

May I ask, what was your NNAS Advisory Report result? Comparable or somewhat comparable? Also, which uni did you receive your nursing degree at? Thank you in advance.

In all honesty I think it will be very difficult for you to maintain your regular routine of having large stretches of time off. I know lots of people from AUS and they have all been shocked by that big cultural difference. I think it's because travelling from AUS requires so much time and money that employers there understand, but potentially as a result of geography it's just not as ingrained in our workplace culture here, unfortunately.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Some places require casuals to pick up a certain amount to keep the job. You won't likely find any employer that would grant long stretches of leave, especially for travel. I had coworkers take leaves but it was usually for stress/bereavement/tragic circumstances. New employees usually will get 2 weeks off a year. I have a coworker with 30 years seniomrity. She hypothetically gets 8 weeks holiday but can't actually get given that much time off due to staffing. You wouldn't get 6 weeks paid with no seniority.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
I moved to Toronto to be with my partner so travel nursing wouldn't work for me.

I've been assessed and am studying for my NCLEX now

Sounds like casual might be the best option, I know there's big job shortages in Toronto though, is it hard to get hours as a casual?

Travel nursing doesn't mean you have to travel far. If there are a shortage of nurses in Toronto, you may be able to find several travel assignments within the city. It doesn't hurt to reach out to an agency and see what kind of availabilities they have.

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The nursing job market goes through shortage and surplus cycles, currently Toronto is in a surplus cycle and there are many more applicants than jobs, but networking can sometimes result in a casual position.

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In my system, if casuals don't work in a six month period, they are terminated.

You should look at temporary postings, they are used to cover maternity leaves, lengthy sick leaves, and bereavement leaves. Usually last 3- 12 months.

But, if you plan on making a life here in Canada, you will have t adapt to our ways

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