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

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.

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

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

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.

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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?

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

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

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.
For my current job it took so long that I forgot that I had applied for it!

Yeah, see that's the type of thing that I've heard too. That actually happened to me with a non hospital position. It seems they cajoled me pretty hard to get me in to the interview only to be told that although I was a strong candidate I didn't have the experience! Well, duh they could see that from the beginning. I told them that from the beginning. I guess it wasn't a total waste of time as I got to refresh more interview skills. I've just heard hospitals move faster, then on the flip side ppl will say no way, they move even slower!

I am trying to apply for multiple positions, I've learned it's a bad idea to wait for just that one. Sometimes that's why a cover letter seems disingenous b/c I have all this fire for one position and then for a different unit, of course it would be a good learning experience etc... It's hard to convey that same level of enthusiasm for it. I've read absolutely have a cover letter, apps aren't looked at w/o one. Then I've heard skip the cover letter they're not read :uhoh3: It's hard to know what to do just to get the first break. After that, I'm sure it's better for mobility within.

I do understand it's hard to get an exact and no one can tell me the specifics on my situation. I just was really curious about the experiences of others, it's interesting to get other input.

I also know the one particular hopsital is at least hiring GN's, or was a couple weeks ago. I realize their skills may be fresher on different things being I'm in LTC/SNF but it scares me to think I won't get out of here b/c hospitals don't want to risk it. I'd just like a shot at an interview at least to show them in person I can do the job.

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.

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.

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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.

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

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Specializes in Emergency.

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.

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.
Congratulations, I think? I'm not clear on whether this is a good thing for you or not.

Ha! 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.

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Ha! 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.

Ok, 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!

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.
Ok, 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!

Oh good! Thank you again. I am correct in thinking that even though it's an LTC they would still deserve 2 weeks notice right? It's sort of odd b/c our handbook actually states in black and white, that they owe us nothing and we owe them nothing in terms of termination either way. But I've always believed in professional courtesty. This may all be moot, but I like to be prepared and clear in my thought process. I'm encountering some opinions that I need to do what's right for me not my company, incase you're wondering why I'm questioning that. I don't think that professional courtesy has gone out the window, but I want to be sure! It seems so many of the rules that used to be there, aren't. Like respect is a long gone art or something.

I'm actually getting more excited, I just reviewed the unit description and it's a 3:1 more intense than I thought, I was under the impression that IMCU meant cardiac unit, but apparantly the "c" is for care. The excitement could be a bad thing as I don't want to "want" it too much! I kind of like the middle of the road attitude I'm trying to hold onto in case things aren't meant this time around. But to actually make it through all the computer screenings to actually get a call is exciting enough!

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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.

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