Will the job market for nurses EVER improve in Canada?

[theRPN2b]

I have heard that the job market for RN's in Canada sucks (especially new grads). And I am very worried about that. I am a high school student. I applied to both RN and RPN programs, both of which I got into.

I am not sure which one to choose. Will there be more jobs for RPNs (since they get paid less)? Will there be more jobs for RNs in the future when I'd graduate in 4 years?

I know that you can't be too picky when looking for jobs and that you have to take what you can get and be willing to relocate, and network. But even doing that I heard people are having a hard time getting a job.

I am in Ontario if that helps anyone answer.

If you are a recent new grad, how are you dealing with finding a job. Or even if you are an experienced nurse what have you observed in the job market?

Maybe I shouldn't be this worried as I didn't even start nursing school yet, but it just makes me sad that so many people don't have jobs, and I really don't wanna be in that situation in the future.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

[Fiona59]

Nursing is cyclical. Governments give and governments take.

I graduated and there were no jobs. Worked at four different places as a casual. When I could, I took any shift offered. I needed that student loan paid off, so if it meant nights and weekends I did it.

Do you want to work shifts, every other weekend, be at the beck and call of staffing clerks. Do you want to work for a non-profit at lower wages in order to secure daylight, weekday shifts? Can you handle the thought of working in nursing homes if there is nothing else available?

You have to decide for yourself if you want to be a nurse.

[ShirleyMc]

In regard to nursing positions, I wonder what will happen in Alberta now that Ms. Redford has stepped down.

Doug Horner, finance, is quoted as saying a few days ago: "That means more teachers, doctors, nurses and other essential front-line supports for Albertans."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-plays-it-safe-with-cautious-2014-budget-1.2562938

This is good right?? Gosh I hope so... soon to be finished my refresher course... and so need work... and I'm keen on the OR.

Time will tell...

[loriangel14, RN]

It's impossible to predict what the future will hold in Ontario. Right now hospitals are making massive cuts and new grads need to be flexible to find work.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I enjoy nursing but most of all Im interested in health promotion. Had I known that the market would be so unpredictable, I would have become a dietician.

I was accepted into the School of Nutrition the day before nursing. I thought there would be many opportunities based on the aging population.

Nursing is cyclical so eventually there will be more jobs, but in the meantime you will need to be flexible, which may include relocation, definitely nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.

[sweet_pea_e]

There is at least a full election cycle in ON before you graduate and so I would suspect that things could change quite drastically. In AB, I suspect there will be a general election in a year or 2 once the PC party has held a leadership contest and so things could change quite a bit here in the next couple years. I say do what you want to do the most and be flexible about what kind of work you are willing to take.

FWIW- it's the same story in all industries, not just health care. When I went into my first degree program, they couldn't hire Environmental Scientists fast enough. I took an awesome internship when I finished and then by the time I finished that, the recession hit and there were no jobs. There is no certainty in any degree program.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Everyone is making huge cutbacks in healthcare, and that's not going to change because Redford resigned. Harper and his health ministers still pull the strings for their political puppets.

You also need to be in the system in order to have first dibs on the jobs across AB, and it's based on seniority.

There are jobs if you're willing to be flexible, but I wouldn't be set on AB. Hopefully, we will see an improvement but many of us aren't counting on it.

[lxpatterson]

Nursing is cyclical. Governments give and governments take.

I graduated and there were no jobs. Worked at four different places as a casual. When I could, I took any shift offered. I needed that student loan paid off, so if it meant nights and weekends I did it.

Do you want to work shifts, every other weekend, be at the beck and call of staffing clerks. Do you want to work for a non-profit at lower wages in order to secure daylight, weekday shifts? Can you handle the thought of working in nursing homes if there is nothing else available?

You have to decide for yourself if you want to be a nurse.

Very true! You have to be flexible and eager to take on shifts and be willing to move to underserviced areas. I am a 2 years out from RN school and i chose to move out to a rural hospital from Toronto, but I have to say I love the lifestyle and the work experience I've gained here. I have to say that in a small community institution staff are more invested in mentoring and taking care of junior staff than in the larger institutions I've worked at -which is great for recent grads.

Having to be flexible is no different than any other industry. My cousin is an engineer with a masters in chemical eng and he had to leave a consulting job in Vancouver to Nfld to further his career.

[loriangel14, RN]

There is at least a full election cycle in ON before you graduate and so I would suspect that things could change quite drastically. In AB, I suspect there will be a general election in a year or 2 once the PC party has held a leadership contest and so things could change quite a bit here in the next couple years. I say do what you want to do the most and be flexible about what kind of work you are willing to take.

FWIW- it's the same story in all industries, not just health care. When I went into my first degree program, they couldn't hire Environmental Scientists fast enough. I took an awesome internship when I finished and then by the time I finished that, the recession hit and there were no jobs. There is no certainty in any degree program.

I wouldn't expect things to change "quite drastically". The trend of cuts to health care isn't likely to be reversed.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Agreed. The cuts to health care have been made on a global scale over the last 7 years, with no sign of improvement. The government has no intention to improve this climate.

Many of us feel that the same trends will continue. You're not going to see hundreds of jobs posted for each facility or recruiters vying for candidates like they have in past years. Positions will continue to remain competitive and few in number compared to the nurses seeking them.

Last night, I was surfing around and reading about the current trends in health care in Australia and the UK. Same problems there too with these new patient care models. Layoffs are common. RNs are being replaced with LPNs and LPNs with health care aides as a cost savings measure everywhere. My British co-workers have confirmed this over the years.

Added certifications, specialty practice and years of experience will make you more marketable, but there are no guarantees.

[mariesearcy]

just wanted to say that after reading all the post out there saying there's no work for RNs in AB ... your post has just given me a glimpse of hope ... thanks.

Hope things will change with a change in government... fingers crossed.

[bradons]

There are TONS of RN jobs available.