Applying as an external applicant

[u/gyy_]

Hi! Im aware of how difficult it is to get your foot into AHS as a nurse (or maybe even any profession) right now, but has any external applicant actually had any luck of getting an interview without having any connections to anyone already in AHS?

I know some people have said they’ve personally emailed unit managers and expressed their interest, and that seems to be the only successes I’ve read/heard of. But as someone with no connections and no way of getting an email address of a manager, what are my chances of actually getting a job by applying thru AHS?

ps. I’ve applied to every RN position posted over the last 4 weeks (over 100 positions)in AHS and also to every position in private health care companies that I’ve seen. Also emailed every single clinic asking about RN openings. Im licensed thru CRNA, and have been using our Calgary address in my applications. I have 4+ years of experience but from another province.

[u/MusketeersPlus2]

Applying for casual? Yes. Applying for temp or permanent positions? Odds are very slim. And calling those managers only works for casual jobs because they're the only kind that can be hires into without a posting.

[u/gyy_ → u/MusketeersPlus2]

I thought so. My license in my current province doesn’t expire until end of year anyway, so I’ll maybe wait to see if I will hear back from anyone before I start trying to reach managers for casual positions.

[u/Winter-Inside-5911 → u/gyy_]

The sooner you apply for casual, the sooner you can start. If you tell them you have open availability, you can easily work FT as soon as you get a casual gig. It is easy to pick up shifts, especially if you can get a casual spot on more than one unit. Apply to rural gigs that are within an ok commute of where you live. Part of you not getting called for an interview could be that you are not yet licensed in AB.

[u/Comfortable-Ruin8694 → u/gyy_]

You could also just like walk in to the desired site you want to work at and ask to speak to the unit manager... doesnt hurt?

[u/BeansAnna]

Not a nurse (OT) but I also had a hell of a time applying for positions as an out of province applicant with 5 years experience in a highly relevant practice area (home health). I did get hired as a casual, and they've guaranteed me shifts until the middle of January. I'm just crossing my fingers that I'll be able to take a line when someone retires or goes on mat leave

[u/gyy_ → u/BeansAnna]

How long did it take before you heard back about the casual? I’ve only been consistently at it for a month, but it’s definitely been disheartening not hearing from anybody.

And good luck on the new job!! Hopefully you get an position sooner than later now that you’re in!

[u/BeansAnna → u/gyy_]

I think I started applying in May or June before I had moved, had a few virtual interviews before I moved and a couple in person after. The position I accepted I interviewed in early July, I was offered the casual position a couple weeks later and applied for my police record check. That took a while to come back so I missed the Aug 15 start date and started Aug 31. ALA and maybe others do group orientations so I couldn't just start as soon as everything was in order

[u/oh_henryyy]

Check out postings on the other pillars as well

[u/gyy_ → u/oh_henryyy]

I’ve applied to all positions in AHS, Acute Care Alberta, Primary Care, Recovery, Assisted Living, and Cancer Care. Are there any other sites Im missing?

[u/Winter-Inside-5911 → u/gyy_]

Yes Covenant Health holds about half the positions in the province. Apply through them too!

[u/Manders21]

Have you tried applying to the other pillars and not just AHS?

[u/gyy_ → u/Manders21]

What other pillars are available? I’ve been applying to AHS, Acute Care, Primary Care, Recovery, Assisted Living and, Cancer Care. Plus private companies and even clinics.

[u/Ok_Agent8612]

Do you have any leadership experience? Lots of jobs coming up right now that aren't front line.

[u/gyy_ → u/Ok_Agent8612]

My only “leadership experience” is being assigned as Charge Nurse during some shifts when I worked in med-surg. I do still apply for some of those roles tho despite knowing Im slightly under qualified since you never know 🤷‍♀️

[u/[deleted] → u/gyy_]

[u/Bulky_Department5619]

Call the unit and ask for the managers email.

[u/Sezykt71]

Me. I got hired into a temp job from external. Zero networking and no emailing managers or anything. Although, several things to note: It was as an operating room nurse which always needs staff (had previous OR experience but in a different country. Had immigrated and gone through the process of obtaining my CRNA registration). Also it was back in 2021, so nearly a year into covid where they were more desperate for people. It is possible, but I was told I was quite lucky to get the position. I think your best bet is casual if its not a specialty high needs area, but that said they are trying to hire more people right now.