LA County Hospital Hiring Process

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Hello All,

This is my second post of this website. Always a pleasure learning from fellow nurses and contributing as well. I am a new grad (graduated May, 2010). As many others in my shoes, nursing jobs have been hard to come by for new grads with little or no experience.

Anyway, I got hired by an LA county hospital last year. I did my livescan finger printing, and filled out info for background check first week of November, 2010. I have not heard anything since then from the HR department. Every time I have called, I have been told that due to the budget cuts the process is slow. They are waiting on information from LA county CEO office to be received. Once it is received, they will call and schedule a physical followed by an orientation and so forth. So here I am two months after accepting a position, and having live scan finger printing done. It is very frustrating. Does anyone know how long it takes on average because HR is not able to give me any answers with respect to time frame. I hope there is someone reading these boards that is either an LA county nurse, or knows someone who is, or simply can give me any more information than the HR folks. I would really really appreciate it. It is just very frustrating waiting and not getting any information.

Thank you.

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It's the background check that's the issue. I will tell you that they are doing a VERY EXTENSIVE background check that takes months to clear. My friend got hired by the state and also took almost 3 months for the background to clear. She has a squeeky clean background but it just is very extensive. It looks like yours is taking almost as long. Hopefully it will clear soon. Good Luck

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Thank you for your response. It always helps to know that I'm not the only one whose hiring process is taking soooo long. May I ask which LA county hospital your friend got hired into and how long ago? I know they've changed some of the procedures in the past few years too so I'm just wondering. Also with our new governor making newer cuts to balance the budget....I'm not sure how it will effect me. I just don't want to get a letter in the end saying that they've decided not to hire any more nurses at this time. That would be devastating! Anyway, thank you again and please let me know if you have any other info. I'd really appreciate it.

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There is a hiring freeze, or was. I too started last January...and just got a call this week. Expect one sometime this or next week.

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Thanks ThirdWatch. I haven't gotten a call so far. Can you tell me which hospital just called you back after almost a year?

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Have you started yet? I know first-hand how long the process can be, but you will hear something eventually. Are you in contact with a nurse recruiter for your facility? Mine was very helpful in explaining the process and giving me updates.

The time between my application and first interview was about two months. The time from my second interview to my job offer was another two months. The time from my job offer/acceptance to my start date was over five months (my livescan results alone took about 3 months, if I recall correctly). So, the hiring process, in its entirety, took over 10 months.

From speaking to coworkers, it's like this for most people. Anyways, just know that it's not you, it's them! ;)

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Hello!

I grad last May and have NOT found a job yet! I got called by LA County and Kern County for an interview this week. Is this what I am to expect? Not to get offered a job for months? Also, would you guys mind telling me what they asked in the first interview? I heard its more of an exam than an interview! Its been so long since Ive been in school I feel like I wont even know anything! Ive been going over some general things, but I didnt know if I was going to be thrown a curveball! If theres any help you can give or advice I would love it!!!

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The interviews are super easy! Anyone that has gone to and passed nursing school will be fine. And to answer your question, yes you might have to wait a Loooooooong time. It's been over 4 months and I'm still waiting for them to tell me to come in for a physical and start. Back in November I was offered a position which I accepted, and I filled out paperwork for background check and did my fingerprints. Then the wait began. So I would definitely bring that concern up in the interview. It's no fun waiting and the HR department doesn't seem to know anything about when the county would approve newly hired folks to start, I mean isn't that what HR is supposed to know? I guess not with LA county! I wouldn't hold my breath for them. I've been looking other places and found a job at another state! CA is horrible when it comes to new grads and hospitals giving us a chance!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/ Tele/ DOU.
The interviews are super easy! Anyone that has gone to and passed nursing school will be fine. And to answer your question, yes you might have to wait a Loooooooong time. It's been over 4 months and I'm still waiting for them to tell me to come in for a physical and start. Back in November I was offered a position which I accepted, and I filled out paperwork for background check and did my fingerprints. Then the wait began. So I would definitely bring that concern up in the interview. It's no fun waiting and the HR department doesn't seem to know anything about when the county would approve newly hired folks to start, I mean isn't that what HR is supposed to know? I guess not with LA county! I wouldn't hold my breath for them. I've been looking other places and found a job at another state! CA is horrible when it comes to new grads and hospitals giving us a chance!

I got my interview next Thursday. So it takes super long? Well at least I've got a part time job at a sub acute facility to help pass the time by.

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I got hired in January and took my Live scan the week after .. ever since then I haven't heard anything. At first I thought it was going to be a few months, not a big deal right? But after reading things on here that that it might even take A YEAR it's too frustrating! time is money my friends ..

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Specializes in Geriatric, IV, Home Health CAre.

Plain and simple, the State and County has limited funds. Budget meetings are monthly. As soon as money comes up, the County (Hospital) can place RN's in positions. It takes a long time...my friend got hired in September and hired on in March the following year. Keep your letter current or your name gets dropped off the "List" Meaning 1 year from the date of app, you have to re-submitt app if not hired.

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Can anyone here offer advice for the online Work Styles Assessment exam? Is it tough?

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