Nursing at SickKids

Yes! SickKids has a long-standing tradition of hiring new graduates and over the years we have tailored our orientation to meet the unique needs of recently graduated nurses. We will prepare you to practice competently and confidently in an acute-care paediatric environment.

Yes! A temporary class licence is accepted until you have a chance to take the RN registration exam and register.  You will be classified as a “New Grad Clinician.”

SickKids offers the most robust and comprehensive orientation program in Canada for new nursing graduates. For the first three months, new hires receive paid protected time to be a learner. You will participate in:

• Instructor-led classroom activities led by subject matter experts
• Hands-on interactive learning sessions and skills labs
• Clinical learning activities to consolidate knowledge and skills
• Online self-paced learning and simulation experiences
• Highly specialized unit-based orientation for each area of specialty under the ongoing support of an Interprofessional Education Specialist.
• Preceptor-supervised orientation shifts in direct patient care for the first three months and longer for our critical care areas.
• Structured evaluation of new graduate nurse competencies

Yes! Other acute-care, hospital-based clinical rotations where you provided direct patient care and developed transferable skills can be applied in paediatrics. Past volunteer or work experience with children and families can also be an asset when working at SickKids.

Staffing ratios vary depending on the unit, patient acuity, and staff experience levels. Nurses who transfer from adult acute-care hospitals will find that staffing ratios in paediatrics are lower due to the different care needs of children and their families.

SickKids is committed to supporting continuing learning and professional development. From the day you start, you will find yourself in a supportive environment and on a path to a rewarding and fulfilling nursing career. SickKids nurses have access to many career development and educational opportunities, tuition support for graduate studies, scholarships, educational funding for workshops, conferences and courses, and countless in-house career development programs and events.

SickKids nurses use self-scheduling which allows them to request shifts that best meet their personal needs and preferences. In accordance with scheduling guidelines, you will select the shifts that match your preferences. A unit manager then approves the schedule and ensures all shifts are accurately covered.

Yes! We are recruiting nurses at all stages of their careers and with various past work experience. SickKids offers opportunities for learning and professional growth in areas that may be new or different for you. This is your opportunity to join the SickKids family and launch your career in paediatrics.

We tailor your orientation based on your previous experience and will ensure you have a smooth transition into paediatric practice. Consider your adult experience as the foundation for transitioning into working with a different patient population. For example, adult perioperative nursing experience offers a good springboard for transition to perioperative nursing in paediatrics, similarly with other nursing subspecialties such as critical care, oncology, or emergency care. Our educators, clinical orientation support nurses and preceptors will guide you through this transition.

SickKids provides a structured orientation for experienced RNs who are new to the hospital. Your department education specialist will guide you through the orientation process, ensuring it is tailored to your specific needs. Your orientation will include various learning modalities and clinical aspects. You will participate in:

• Instructor-led classroom activities led by subject matter experts
• Hands-on interactive learning sessions and skills labs
• Clinical learning activities to consolidate knowledge and skills
• Online self-paced learning and simulation experiences
• Highly specialized unit-based orientation for each area of specialty under the ongoing support of an Interprofessional Education Specialist.
• Preceptor-supervised orientation shifts in direct patient care for the first months
• Structured evaluation of paediatric nurse competencies

You will have paid protected time to be a learner and to become well-familiarized to your new clinical area.

Due to the specialized nature of care at SickKids and our firm belief that nurses are best supported in their growth and career development within the context of a home team, SickKids does not hire new staff into a centralized float pool. Instead, units have the opportunity to recruit staff into Nursing Resource Group (NRG) positions once they have completed orientation and demonstrated the requisite competencies. NRG staff hold a guaranteed permanent 0.8 FTE with additional available FTE of up to 0.2 on a home unit. The additional flexibility created through the NRG model enables us to better meet fluctuating patient care demands while also supporting RNs to develop specialized expertise in their chosen area of practice. NRG contracts are time-limited after which time RNs have the option of choosing to remain in the NRG or transition into the FTE that works best for them.

Yes, SickKids offers dedicated rental housing accommodations for all new SickKids professional staff. Learn more about the Alan Brown Building and fill out the application form to apply.