What is nursing like in Toronto?

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Hi everyone! Can someone give me an idea about what nursing is like in Toronto? My family is planning to move.

What is the nursing culture like? How many weeks of annual leave do you usually get? Do you usually work 8-hr or 12-hr shifts in the wards? Do you get paid extra for working weekends or evenings? I'm sure each hospital is different, but any information will be helpful in alleviating my anxiety. TIA!

He doesn't, but he's very experienced in his field and he said he won't have a hard time looking for job. But we won't move until we both get a job offer.

I'm just worried about my currency of practice and because I can't work as a nurse in AB, I really have to find a job in Ontario.

Thanks, dishes. You've been really helpful and supportive. When I first moved to the UK, adjusting was a breeze and I was so happy there. My first year in Canada has been so tough in comparison because it took me half a year to find a temp job and the licensing process takes ages.

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There are job postings on the website ontarionursing.ca, the site gives current RN postings as well as profiles of the healthcare providers. Also, the Marskell group health careers interaction hosts job fairs across Canada twice a year, the spring has already passed but the fall fair starts in September. You can register to attend on their website healthcareersinteraction.com.

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Thank you! That's really helpful!

Are you able to tell me more about nursing in Toronto in terms of autonomy, staffing ratios, etc? I hope to be better prepared and more informed when I move.

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Staffing ratios vary depending on the type of healthcare and the complexity and acuity of the patients. Acute care, rehab and complex continuing care nurses may have 4-6 (or more) total care patients, while long term care (LTC) nurses may have >30 patients. Community care nurses may see 4-6 patients per day but have a larger case load that they see over the course of a week. Private duty may have one patient for an extended period of time.

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Hey there,

I am from the GTA and its not easy. Full time jobs are not easy to come by right now, and even getting casual position is tough. Agency is an option, but I will warn you that having a schedule is probably not going to happen. What is available varies and its not easy to plan anything.

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What do you suggest I do to stand out when applying for jobs? Unfortunately I cannot practice anywhere else in Canada as of the moment. The reality is very discouraging.

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Unfortunately nothing you can do to stand out. All who are seeking employment are in the same category and perhaps priority may go to locally trained nurses who are seeking employment. Nursing has become difficult.

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@RGNonthemove If you apply to positions that list 1-2 years of experience as one of the job qualifications, your experience will help your resume to stand out. Some large hospital HR departments use a key word software screening program to pre-screen applications and resumes. The key word program only selects applicants that have the qualifications that are listed in the job posting, the resume is then reviewed by HR staff. The rest of the resumes that do not have the desired qualifications are not looked at by human eyes. Your nursing experience does not need to be Canadian nursing experience.

Look at a variety Toronto nursing job postings to get a sense of what types of qualifications employers typically require. Make sure your resume contains the qualifications. Some employers require completion of a physical assessment course, you can can take one through a community college or university (do not take it through a private school).Taking the course from a public college or university means that it is provincially recognized and you may be eligible for a grant (for grant information see nursing education initiative grant on RNAO.org)

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Thank you, dishes! You've been so helpful and amazing! I have about 7 years of experience. I hope that counts for something because that's all I've got. I was planning to move only with a job offer on the table, but it looks like I have to be there physically to make this work. Especially because I need to take courses that will help boost my resume like physical assessment and ACLS. I just hope I find something because moving is expensive.

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Yes, moving is expensive but if you keep receipts from move related expenses, you may be able to use them as an income tax deduction when you file your income tax next year. In the ideal world you would have a job offer in hand before you move to Toronto, but it is not the right job market in Ontario at this time. I think your chances of getting a job offer before moving would be better if you were applying to rural Saskatchewan instead of urban Ontario. At any rate sometimes life is making choices and take chances and hoping things work out for the best.

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I work with a foreign trained nurse whose 8 years of experience and education has not helped at all she is consistently asked about Canadian experience and education so she had to go back to school to get Canadian education behind her and is working on finding a job.

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I work with a foreign trained nurse whose 8 years of experience and education has not helped at all she is consistently asked about Canadian experience and education so she had to go back to school to get Canadian education behind her and is working on finding a job.

Seems like the employers are not up to date on the policy from the Ontario human rights commission removing the 'Canadian experience' barrier.

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