Can't start a job until December.. Apply anyway?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 26, 2015

Hey y'all :)
I **finally** passed my boards (graduated pregnant in May, had the baby in August, it was a craaaazy summer) and am anxious to start applying for jobs. The thing is, my significant other, who is a contractor, is working a job that needs him there until at least the end of November. We live in rural South Dakota and so our childcare options are basically non-existent, so our plan is for him to stay at home with our 2 year old and infant when I go to work. But obviously that can't happen until he's done with this job.
I know that it can't hurt to start getting my applications and resume in to the employers in my area, but I'm curious about the general willingness of facilities to accommodate the timelines of new grads. I don't live in a very competitive area for nurses, for what it's worth.
The other, slightly off topic, question I have is about the online application process. How long do I wait after submitting my app online to contact HR? Or to send a copy of my resume to the manager of the unit I'm applying to? Or to follow up in general? The online application process seems so disconnected to me and I'd really like to know more about the etiquette of reaching out to a real human. Unfortunately, my program did little in the way of preparing us for actually navigating the job application process. :/
Any input or insight is really appreciated!

Many places only want a hard copy of the resume if selected for interview. Many facilities, to protect from bias and other problems, request applicants NOT contact hiring managers directly and only go through HR. In my area attempting to circumvent HR and/or contacting managers directly without going through the HR screening initiated by online applications will result in being marked do not hire. In some areas HR is off site and not even at the hospital.

I'd say 1-2 weeks before follow up with HR. Read the application website to see if there are any recommendations. Some have nurse recruiter contact info, others have expected timelines. Some tell you what not to do (as in dont contact the facility or desired nursing unit as all contact must be through the recruiting department) and what to do for follow up.

The hiring process is rarely quick so apply now as they must screen the applicants, verify credentials, interview, do background checks and all that takes time. If asked just put December 1 or whenever as availability for full time start date (it's only 4-5 weeks away...November is Sunday!)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 26, 2015

It definitely wouldn't hurt to start applying now. It can take a few weeks just for HR to contact you for an interview (sometimes it doesn't take as long, sometimes it's even longer from my experience!). If you pass the initial interview then you move on to your interview with the unit manager and/or unit director which also may or may not include other nurses on the unit (panel interview). It could be a week in between your initial interview and unit interview. Sometimes you won't have an HR interview and you'll go directly to the unit interview; it just depends on the facility. Honestly, my past few jobs did not include an interview with HR.

If you're offered a position, you have to submit to a background check and do your new hire stuff...again, that can take a couple of weeks. If your potential employer asks why you cannot start until December, explain your situation to them. I would hope that they would understand.