Is there a trick to this?

Ok here's my story, I'm a student and currently I'm working for the Red Cross as an instructor. The problem is the schedule is hard with school. I'm an EMT with a good bit of experience over and above what an EMT typically has (I'm retired Navy and was in Special Warfare), and I've put in a few applications for ER tech jobs that have been posted at 3 different hospitals here in San Diego.

My resume is good and complete. I've applied both in person and using the on-line application option. One of the applications has been out there almost a month with no response. I've talked to a couple classmates, one works as a unit sec, the other is an ER tech at a totally different hospital, and from what they're telling me you can either wait a lifetime for someone to read your application or you need to know someone to get an "in". The tech told me that even with a couple good solid "ins" that it took 3 months for him to get hired into a job.

is this normal? Is it the same after I get a nurses license? Is there a more effective way to do this?

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

aloha

Jim