Will the job market for nurses EVER improve in Canada?

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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?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
There are TONS of RN jobs available.

Not where I am. Tons of RN layoffs.

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There are TONS of RN jobs available.

You're in MANITOBA. It's not really a realistic commute for someone living in Edmonton or Calgary

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You're in MANITOBA. It's not really a realistic commute for someone living in Edmonton or Calgary

People relocate all the time.

But then it wouldn't be Alberta and you wouldn't have to fight for a job.

Understandable...

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Been there and done that. I still have many friends in Manitoba who keep me updated on working conditions. They're not really all that better there than they are here.

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People relocate all the time.

But then it wouldn't be Alberta and you wouldn't have to fight for a job.

Understandable...

Let's see, house paid for, less than ten years to retirement, kids married and settled. Sure, us older nurses should be all over relocation.

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I am a fresh grad in ON (write the CRNE in June) and have had two job offers already under the New Graduate Initiative. I started applying - in person, to managers - in February and my consolidation placement was in a critical care area so those are two things that probably helped. If hospital budgets are hurting, there are private clinics like RefreshMD (botox) and doctor's offices that will take RN's and LOADS of long-term care, nursing homes, etc. that will also accept RN applicants. I may have a third job interview depending on how I performed on a pre-screening test. The point I'm making is that I anticipated a tough job search, so I started early and showed my face to make sure I was memorable. I asked for leads from pretty much every RN I ran into during clinicals and followed them, went to job fairs and spent time talking to the recruiters, etc.

Rural SK is recruiting very hard right now by the way, and some agencies are offering relocation bonuses. Following oil is a pretty safe bet no matter what field you're in :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Using language such as "tons" and "loads" of RN jobs is misleading when the government continues to lay nurses off and many positions are casual. Sure, small towns and rural areas are often hiring but the cities are not. If you manage to secure a position, you are fortunate.

I've worked rural and I am now in the city after four years. However, rural is not for everyone.

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Let's see, house paid for, less than ten years to retirement, kids married and settled. Sure, us older nurses should be all over relocation.

For some reason I'm almost sure the topic said Canada.

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Using language such as "tons" and "loads" of RN jobs is misleading when the government continues to lay nurses off and many positions are casual. Sure, small towns and rural areas are often hiring but the cities are not. If you manage to secure a position, you are fortunate.

I've worked rural and I am now in the city after four years. However, rural is not for everyone.

Theres over 100 no casual jobs in our region. I'd say thats tons for a small population base.....

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Plus lots of jobs are posted with no intention of filling them.

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For some reason I'm almost sure the topic said Canada.

She said "us older nurses" not US older nurses. I know it can be difficult to read especially with all the acronyms in the cyber world.

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Looks like a reading comprehension fail.

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