How long did it take you to get into the hospital?

We've all heard it takes awhile but what is reasonable and what is time to move on?

I've only aggresively starting applying at the beginning of the week. Before it was here and there b/c besides not being 100 pct sure I had to take the hospital direction, I flat out didn't have experience. Now that I have 6mos and applying for positions that state they only need that vs 1 or 2 years....I don't know if I'm being impatient or if it really takes weeks to get in.

I've posed the q on the Pa. board but since this moves faster I thought I'd try to get a broader range of possibilities.

Also, I know I stand a better chance at emailing unit mgrs directly but it's tricky to find out their exact email as some add an extra initial or number after the standard "last name, first initial" Plus if I'm applying to multiple floors does it seem disingenous to put basically the same verbage cover letter? I sent one to a unit mgr after I found out her name/email from the recruiter but that position I have a considerable amt of enthusiasm for, however I'm willing to start pretty much anywhere.

I've heard from a co worker that used to work for the hosp. system that I should hear within a week or two but I wonder if that's the exception since that was several years back it happened to her. (then she left).

So basically from time of submitting the app, how long did it take to get that initial interview call?

TIA
The hospitals in my area have a dedicated nursing recruitor. Everything goes thru those two people. The one guy returned my calls in 4-5 hours.Since I'm student he referred to other people. I did find out that once the background is done the process moves rather quickly.

4-5 hours is not the standard. It can take days to weeks depending on lots of unknown factors for you to hear from a recruiter or manager, if at all. I don't think anyone can tell you what a typical time frame is.Having said that, it can't hurt to apply to any and every opening that you can find. The worst that can happen is that you will have more than one interview opportunity, so why limit yourself waiting to hear back from those who may never call?

For my current job it took so long that I forgot that I had applied for it!

Quote from Flo.For my current job it took so long that I forgot that I had applied for it!

Okay well I guess I can somewhat answer my own question! I just got called for an interview for an IMCU for the 3rd hospital choice that I had. All 8 of the apps were submitted this past Monday. 5 were for positons to a hospital that lines up with my core beliefs (at least what they put in their mission statement) One of my other preferred hospital choices is literally in my backyard, they aren't hiring right now.I had no cover letter with this app. I did not follow up with this hospital, honestly it was the one that I could have cared if they called so why did I even apply? I stay loyal to my commitments, the next job I take I wanted to stay there for a year at least before moving on. Even though I'm utterly miserable in my job now, I never called off or was late, even in the terrible snow storms we had. Crap... I'm feeling stupid now.

Quote from kittyhawkOkay well I guess I can somewhat answer my own question! I just got called for an interview for an IMCU for the 3rd hospital choice that I had. All 8 of the apps were submitted this past Monday. 5 were for positons to a hospital that lines up with my core beliefs (at least what they put in their mission statement) One of my other preferred hospital choices is literally in my backyard, they aren't hiring right now.I had no cover letter with this app. I did not follow up with this hospital, honestly it was the one that I could have cared if they called so why did I even apply? I stay loyal to my commitments, the next job I take I wanted to stay there for a year at least before moving on. Even though I'm utterly miserable in my job now, I never called off or was late, even in the terrible snow storms we had. Crap... I'm feeling stupid now.

Well congrats on your interview. Now I know to be patient. I applied for about 5-6 positions last Friday and I haven't received a call yet for an interview. I also applied for a job on Monday and haven't recieved a call from them either. The job I really want though is an ER position and I applied last Friday, so maybe I will wait another week before following up. Actually I hope I won't have to follow up, I hope they call!!!! I'm not too motivated though since I had my first nursing interview in the ER at a hospital outside of town, and it's been about 2 weeks and I haven't heard anything back. Was a good learning experience though.

Quote from GM2RNCongratulations, I think? I'm not clear on whether this is a good thing for you or not.

Quote from kittyhawkHa! I can see why you'd say that! yeah, actually after I got my head screwed back on, it is a very good thing.It's just like Calixan states there was one I applied to that had great appeal b/c it was a burn unit. I absolutely loved my rotation there, I had an awesome experience and it just felt right. To see another position open up that is supposedly even looking at GNs in the hospital that I really wanted. Well it could be that the burn will still be a possibility down the road but it just seemed that this was a good timing issue being they're willing to take on GN's so I figured the training would be really good, not just be thrown out there. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know a whole lot about the hospital that called me back. I know a great deal about the other 2 that I'm interested in, and I really like both their mission statements. I can say clearly why I'd want to work for them. This 3 choice hospital I had in consideration was a lot on location plus they're not as affected by the mega system that runs them. I kind of spaced that they're a teaching hospital albeit smaller, however I didn't know they're a Magnet hospital....had to write a paper on that last year, so I know what they're about, didn't know they're part of it...so overall it would still be a really cool hospital.My oh crap comment is really b/c I leave for vacation in 4 weeks. This is all that I really ask for at this point in time in terms of vacation. I don't care about working holidays etc...It just so happens that *if* all would go well and I get offered a position (and I do realize it's an *if*) My 2 weeks notice would directly hit into the start of vacation (well there's about a week difference but still) I don't want to lose a great opportunity in a job and not going on vacation is not an option. So I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have been pushing so hard to send apps now, I should have waited until after vacation, but who knows if things are really starting to break open in this area for jobs or that this is really a rare chance at this time. But I figure I'll let the chips fall where they may. I know on interviews they always ask when you can start...that date would still hold, but I'm going to be honest and tell them that I have a vacation already planned and paid for. I don't think it would be right to not disclose this info unless a firm offer would be made b/c it seems disingenous and I stand by my honesty.(in other words I don't think it's wise to keep my mouth shut about the vacation on the interview unless an offer is made I think I should mention it on my own) My co worker thinks it's a good route too as it will show them I don't mess around, and I have a strong work ethic. She said that's rare in employees today which I find hard to believe.thanks for the well wishes, really...I'm actually okay whichever way it may go. If it's meant to be it will.

Quote from GM2RNOk, congratulations it is then!Definitely let them know that you have scheduled time off. It shouldn't be a big deal though. It's not like you are planning an extended leave of absence. I've let prospective managers know ahead of time that I had scheduled time off coming up and it's never been an issue.Good luck!

Yes, I'd give them 2 weeks notice. My current job wanted me to start right away but I told them I had to give 2 weeks notice. They said they couldn't argue with that since they would expect no less if the tables were turned. Even if there is no expectation of notice, you're right that it is the professional thing to do and I think they would appreciate it. No sense in offending anyone unnecessarily.