u/ramencrumb

I’m a newly licensed RN in Ontario and it’s been about 3 months since I passed my nursing exam. I’ve been applying pretty consistently (sometimes around 10 jobs a day), but I haven’t really heard back from many places.

I’m trying to stay relatively close to home because relocating isn’t really an option for me, both financially and personally. I’ve considered applying to hospitals that are an hour to an hour and a half away, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic for me long-term.

My ultimate goal is to get into OR/perioperative nursing, particularly pre-op, PACU/post-op, surgical daycare, OR etc. That’s genuinely the area I’m most interested in and where I’d eventually like to build my career. There are no sponsorship programs available at all to make this jump :(

At the same time, I really want to start working and gaining experience. I just don’t want to feel like I have to completely give up on what I actually want to do. I also really don’t want to go back to a minimum-wage job when I’ve spent years getting my nursing degree and becoming licensed.

I’m not expecting my first job to be my dream job, but I’m trying to figure out what the smartest move is while I work toward getting into the OR.

For other Ontario nurses, especially new grads:
How long did it take you to get your first RN job?

Did you have to take something outside of your preferred area?

Would you apply to hospitals 1–1.5 hours away just to get your foot in the door?

Are there positions outside of traditional bedside nursing that would be good for someone interested in OR/perioperative nursing?

Is there anything you wish you had done differently when looking for your first RN job?

Honestly, I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged and would really appreciate some advice from people who have been through this.

I feel like that was hard.

I got all high pass for UWORLD and BOOTCAMP etc.

I can’t believe it did not stop at 85.

I don’t know how to get rid of this horrible feeling.

I graduated back in May.

Started studying Mid June.

Using UWORLD mainly - study plan - 63-85 is where I score. More low than high.

Are there calculations on this exam? What kind should I even prepare for?

I feel like it going to be super vague and easy and I should bite the bullet and just move my test day earlier. But I’m also terrified.

I don’t care to see the openers…

Hello,

Does anyone know of any excellent cat groomers for long hair cats that are reasonable in price?

Thank you

I’m thinking UWorld- two month subscription and that is really it.

4-6 hrs of studying a day starting next week.

I don’t know if there are better APPs out there or maybe methods that work well. Kindly let me know what yall used to PASS.