How long to wait?

Dolce, RN · Oct 16, 2008

I think it is appropriate to call a week after the interview. You can say you were wondering about the status of the position and if they had made a decision. Let them know you were really excited and interested in the position.

rn-jane · Oct 16, 2008

I had to wait several weeks before I had heard anything. Sometimes they are checking references or waiting for other potential interviewers before they make a decision.

I would give a call or write a thank you card for the interview to see if I get a response.

Good luck!

lpnflorida · Oct 16, 2008

It depends, what was the closing date for accepting applications first off. One of the positions on our unit, has been interviewing applicants for the past two weeks. No decision as of yesterday had been made

I think sending a postcard thanking them for the interview is a great idea. Continuing to look for a job is prudent just in case.

debi49 · Oct 16, 2008

Because the job hiring process takes so long, continue to apply and interview other places. If you wait for a definitive answer after each interview, you could wait a month. You would also get an idea of other work environments, pay/ benefits etc. Dont put all your eggs in one basket, if you are out of work. If you are working and just looking for a change, you have the luxury to wait things out.

And ALWAYS send a hand written thankyou note after each interview.

CherryERRN · Oct 16, 2008

I agree. You should definitely write a Thank You letter after every interview. Proper etiquette!! Also, you should be very persistent. I called a week after my interview and was offered the job. Even if they do not have an answer for you at the time, continue to call to follow up if this is really where you want to work. Also, If a job was not offered to you at the time of the interview I would suggest scheduling additional interviews(at other hospitals) just to be on the safe side.. Good Luck:)

CHATSDALE · Oct 16, 2008

i always looked at several different places when job hunting

some hr will notify you if they have chosen someone else and some will not so a call back is not out of line, if the position has been filled ask them to keep your application on file for another opening

if they chose someone else it probably does not have anything to do with you..some are hired d/t previous employment, specfic experience or just one had to be chosen for that one open slot

good luck

Cupcake87 · Sep 29, 2011

Hello everyone. First of all I wanted to say thank you to all of you who share their thoughts, advices and knowledge on every topic here in allnurses. It helped me a lot from taking the nclex to finding my first RN job. I am a RN who worked in a SNF in CA and moved to TX, no acute experience, and just got done with my first ever HOSPITAL interview process (it's a big deal for me ) TODAY. I am just concerned and anxious about on how long will I wait til I get a call from them? This is a big hospital in Northern Texas.

I sent my applications online via their website since July of this year and applied on all the open RN positions they have. Finally I got my first call from the hospital's HR coordinator on 09/15/2011 to set up a behavioral interview on 09/19/2011. I went to the behavioral interview by the HR Coordinator, she said I did good, asked me which areas do I feel like I will be more comfortable with (like which areas would be an easier transition for me since I don't have an acute experience) and told me that she will forward it to the nurse manager and that I should receive a call in 2 days from the nurse manager of this particular unit which is the Neuroscience/stroke unit. No call/email after 2 days, so I decided to call the HR coordinator and left a message. She didn't call me back but hours later that day, I received an email from the nurse manager if we could set up a date for an interview by her. So I was thrilled and replied her back (this was Thursday 09/22/11) but I didn't get an email response from her after. The following day, I received a call from her to set up an interview for Tuesday 09/27/2011. I went to the interview, she asked me a couple of questions and said I did good. Interview lasted for about 30 mins and I think it went well. She gave me a tour of the unit and I met some of the staff. After the interview, she asked me if I could come back the following day for the Peer Interview which will be conducted by 2 RNs from the floor. She also told me that she isn't going to be the one who will hire me (?) but the RNs who will do the peer interview (?). I didn't understand what she meant. So I went for that interview this afternoon, they asked me similar questions from the previous interview and I think it went well too coz one of them verbalized she couldn't see any bad answers from me. I asked them how long will I wait before I can receive a call from them and they said "I'm not sure, maybe NEXT WEEK" and that the nurse manager will make the decision of hiring me or not (?).

I'm confused. Is that a bad sign? Are they just being nice?

Then I checked their website for my application and saw that the "status" of the position I applied for that was "forwarded to manager" on previous status is now "Application filed, not hired", dated 09/28/2011. :'(

I am so anxious and depressed right now. I am trying to be patient in looking for an acute experience. I feel like I don't feel complete as a nurse if I don't get an experience in the acute setting. I am currently looking for a job since I just moved here to TX about a month ago. This is a big deal for me and I am very happy to know that I got a call from a hospital, it's like they believe I was good enough to go for an interview atleast, for the position.

I don't know guys. What do you think? Should I wait for them to call me back? Thank you so much.

AKA_Glamour_Pearl · Sep 29, 2011

It varies. I would call and check though. My current job was offered to me after preceptorship in my ADN program. I was offered the job in March and told that orientation began in June. That was it. I called a few times because that seemed odd to me that I hadn't heard anything and I wanted to make sure that I hadn't been forgotten. I also didn't want to think I had a job and they'd forgotten me or spend hours applying for other jobs. So, basically it was 7-8weeks before they called me again...instead of me calling them :) .

Cupcake87 · Sep 30, 2011

Thanks for your reply. Is it advisable to call them tomorrow or will I wait for a week before calling them? I started applying for other jobs coz I am losing hope...

Cupcake87 · Oct 1, 2011

Hello everyone! Thank you to all for you support! Just want to update and give you the good news that I was hired! I was screaming and crying after the phone call from the HR offering me a job! God knows how important to me this is and He truly is my Miracle Maker. It took only a day of waiting, I'm glad! Good luck to everyone who's going to have their job interviews! This site has helped me so much in so many ways and I will continue to get and learn advices from you! Thanks everyone for sharing this wonderful experience of mine. :)