Long hiring process for LaCo Sheriff Dept.

For those of you La County Sheriff Dept correctional nurses, why does it take so long to go through the hiring process? I started the process in April, I took my oral interview in July( placed in band 1) and now I am going to have to wait who knows how long to hear back from the dept. I hear it can take up to 12months for them to let you know whether they are going to put you through the background investigation portion. This is bumming me out. I feel like I have to put my life on hold and pass up other potentially good jobs. Anyone out there who has a similar hiring scenario?