New grads, how long do you wait after applying..?

mrsjonesRN · Jan 27, 2016

Sometimes it can take MONTHS to hear back from a potential employer. A facility will post a position, but wait until the person causing the vacancy actually leaves, in case they change their mind last minute, before even starting to look through applications for potential hires. Do any of the facilities you applied to have nurse recruiters?? If so, talking to a recruiter can sometimes speed up the process.

I have submitted applications and not heard from any one for 2 months before, so this seems to be the norm here.

Good luck! Keep us updated.

seasidesoul · Jan 27, 2016

I always followed up with HR after submitting my application to new grad residencies. They were helpful with sharing a timeline. Many of the hospitals in my area competed with one another for new grads, so that may have had something to do with it. I doubt it would be the same in a more saturated area, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

LV3677 · Jan 28, 2016

You mentioned that you live in California, which from what I hear, is a very difficult state for new grads to obtain a first job. Consider relocation if you can- Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Washington, etc. I would follow up with HR/recruiter, and if I hadn't heard anything for a few weeks, I'd consider other options.

sjalv · Jan 28, 2016

I live in Oklahoma, graduated with my ADN in May, and got a call back for an ICU position within 2 days of applying. It totally depends on where you live. From what I hear, California has a tough job market. It depends on the hospital whether you should go in in person or not. Some systems insist on online applications only, others will find your effort appreciable. I recommend trying to get in touch with the nurse recruiter of the hospital you're applying to and see if they have any advice.

Julius Seizure · Jan 29, 2016

I would follow up with them. Make sure your name stays in the front of their brain!

kiwi111 · Jan 31, 2016

I'm in sticky situation as well after graduating and getting no job. It's probably best to apply earlier when you can. Good luck.

kuttipuram8 · Feb 2, 2016

I graduated on December 16, 2015. I applied to two residency programs in my area - same hospital system, two different hospitals. For the first program I applied on January 14, 2016 and shortly after received an email stating that this specific program has closed to additional candidates. Albeit, a small part of me was upset, but I applied to the second potential program on January 20, 2016. On January 22, 2016 I received a voicemail from the Human Resources department asking to speak further about my application a.k.a. a screening phone interview. On January 26th, while I waited for my wife to complete her interview and after some phone tag with the HR Department I had my phone interview. They asked basic questions: why a residency program, why that facility, a question related to their values and mission statement, have I taken my NCLEX-RN. After that completed, they stated that I will receive an email to schedule an on-site interview with the HR department at the hospital in question. A small part of me thought I said something wrong during that phone interview because my wife received her email to schedule the on-site interview the same day ( my phone interview was later in the afternoon versus my wife's that was earlier in the morning). My doubts were quelled the next morning when I did receive an email to schedule my interview. So, that on-site interview is scheduled for today at 3:00 PM. Here's to hoping I make strong, likeable, first impression.

Mommy_RN1211 · Feb 3, 2016

I graduated in December but had been applying in September for our local residencies. I am in the DFW, TX area so the job market seemed pretty good this season. Best of luck to you!