1yr grad IE RN just got news I cant get a job in B.C.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 8, 2009

It seems to be a trend that the acute care facilities (health regions in all but Ontario where the health regions have less control) in most provinces are tightening up their recruitment practices in light of the problems arising from earlier efforts. These problems have been related to inadequate assessment of education and experience before hiring that have led to those nurses hired being unable to function at the expected level once their orientation is complete. One way to reduce the likelihood of this is to insist on experience, and two years seems to be the most common minimum.

In BC many of the nursing homes are under the aegis of the health region, so their requirements will likely be identical to the acute care facilities. There seem to be few postings for RNs in LTC in BC, and I know that they utilize mostly LPNs and CNAs to care for LTC patients. The same applies to care for persons with disabilities; they either fall under the region's home care program or they are cared for by personal care aides. (My son is severely disabled and his respite providers are all unskilled personnel who have been given four hours of training on safe patient transfers and med administration.) General practitioners hire more unskilled staff than they do RNs for office assistants and they tend to pay considerably less than the acute care facilities.

My best advice would be for you to write and pass your CRNE then return home and obtain another year's experience, then try your hand again. The nursing shortage is not going to suddenly disappear, and your CRNE pass will not go poof if you don't have a Canadian job the same day you write it. You're certainly entitled to apply now despite the information you received from the health region, just as they are entitled to tell you to come back in a year. But then again, someone may say yes to your application, so the choice is yours. Best wishes for success. We do need you!

AD2008 · Jan 9, 2009

I have the same dilemma..I can't find an employer. What is the validity of the eligibility in BC? what if that validity has expired and you're still unable to sit the CRNE?how about the required 250hour Canadian work, how can we comply with that when we can't find an employer?

Susan to Vanc · Jan 10, 2009

Hi AD2008

Can you please let me know a little bit more about your history and why your finding it hard to get a job? I would really like to find out information as to why other poeple are struggling for RN positions as well.

I go to Vancouver in 3 weeks and are fully freaking out that things arent going to work for me at all as planned

susan

5cats · Jan 10, 2009

Hi Susan,

when you go to Vancouver try the personal approach, look for units you're interested in and contact the unit manager directly.

My experience with HR Departments was a bit similar and I have 17 years experience:)

With your australian ecucation I would think you should get a job fairly easy.

5cats

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Sounds like good advice, and by the time you complete the test and get the results, won't you have more than 1 year's experience more like 2.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 10, 2009

When visiting hospitals make sure you have plenty of copies of your resume, they do seem to prefer the contact approach. Alternatively email them your resume and let them know you will be around x date and pop in to see them

AD2008 · Jan 11, 2009

I too have 1yr of work experience. Silverdragon, are you saying that it would be easier to find a job once you're in Canada already? Because most institutions I applied to in the internet requires 2-3 years experience. I am hesitant to apply for a tourist visa in the fear of being denied. If I will apply for a tourist visa, will they grant me if I say that my purpose is to take the CRNE? Because truly I cannot deny that I am a nurse or else I might be banned due to false misrepresentation.

5cats · Jan 11, 2009

No AD that's not what we were saying, direct approach can be done via email as well to the right person. And Susan is not in Canada allready she's going there anyway to take the CRNE, that's all scheduled, so I suggested to use that time and try the direct approach.

And I suggested that especially since she stated that she's an australian RN, received education there.

Are you eligable to sit the CRNE?

5cats

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 11, 2009

As mentioned Susan is coming to Canada so would make sense to pop in and see people. When talking about direct we don't mean face to face. If you send a CV/resume then follow it up with a phone call or email. Phone call may get more response than a email but it is the follow up you need to do if not in Canada. There is no reason why you can not look for employers before you sit CRNE although employers will probably be more open knowing you have already got eligibility for CRNE

Canadian immigration is more than likely used to see nurses applying for tourist visas to come and sit CRNE, the important thing is to show proof that you will return home afterwards and get the ball rolling. They are also used to nurses coming to work before they sit CRNE. The main thing is be honest but the end decision is with the officer issuing the vis so no guarantees

Susan to Vanc · Jan 13, 2009

thankyou all, for your advice and confidence in me.

I definatly think I will have to skate over to Vancouver and win them over with my dedicated and personal approach. Backing me up is a great 1 year resume, an australian degree and 4 references, plus hopefully If pass the CRNE as soon as I get to the country, and then surely (HOPEFULLY) someone will want me as a qualified registered nurse.

I just hope that I dont have to settle for a job I dont want in a varying speciality but only time will tell.

Thanks, Susan :grad:

Susan to Vanc · Jan 17, 2009

Well I defied advice I got from recruiters and I have had a job offer from Vancouver Coastal health. Im very happy. :)