How long is the average wait before an offer?

dat1nurse4u · Aug 27, 2013

It depends on what they told you during the interview. I was told by one of the places I interviewed for that they will make their decision by the end of the week. Didn't hear back from them the following week so I knew I wasn't chosen. Plus I was gonna turn it down because I didn't feel comfortable as a new grad accepting a night supervisor position for a 170 bed LTC facility. Lucky I interviewed at another facility where I could definitely see myself working there forever that same week and was told it will be a couple weeks. I emailed a thank you letter stating my interest the next day and another email a week and half later checking if they made their decision and that I was still very interested. The DON replied right away that she will let me know by the end of the week. A couple days later I got the job the offer and excitedly accepted the position. So basically, if you really want the job, keep trying to contact them and let them know your interest. But if they are not responding to your emails or phone calls, would you really want to work there anyway?

RedSoxFan84 · Aug 27, 2013

I had a phone screen middle of May, interview June 5, shadow interview two weeks later, and was not offered a position until July 29, started 8/19. It was a long process. This is for a new graduate position.

I have a friend with experience that waited nearly 3 months between interview and offer.

sc128 · Nov 21, 2013

Does anyone know why the time varies so much? Is it because of background checks and contacting references? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Rednights · Nov 21, 2013

I was hired after they read my references. About two weeks total.

sourapril · Nov 21, 2013

I was offered a job over the phone one week after my interview. However, I didn't actually start working until 3 weeks later because background check, waiting for HR to send me an official job offer letter, and put together for a group orientation, etc. Make sure you send a thank you card after the interview.

sc128 · Nov 21, 2013

I was offered the position three days after interviewing. But the offer is contingent upon clearing references, background check, and the physical exam. From what I've read on the forums and heard from fellow nurses there is no clear "wait time" for these things. I would recommend checking in after a week or so.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2013

I feel ya, it's rough out here. I had a few interviews before I got an offer. A couple of them I canceled because I just couldn't see myself living there (note to all new grads: research the area before applying !) and a few I drove 3-4 hours to, just to receive a rejection a few days later. My last interview, the manager stated "you'd make a great hire, HR will contact you by Friday". Friday came and went. Then another Friday passed. HR then finally contacted me(2 weeks later) and asked for references. After that, I got an offer the following week. So I say all that to say this : just keep searching and waiting. It never hurts to follow up with the manager or even HR before writing them off.