That does seem quite long winded.
At my hospital the process was prostin pessary, try to break waters after 6 hours if nothing, or if they can't reach waters, another pessary. Wait 6 hours, break waters or wait 24 hours for 3rd and final pessary. Drip 2 hours after waters breaking if no contractions.
Induction scared me, but it was actually fine and I wouldn't be bothered if I had to do it again. For me, I had a pessary at 9am, had a few mild tightenings but no pain, couldn't reach waters at 3pm so another pessary. By 6 I was having contractions, a little stronger but nothing to write home about. 10pm they ramped up, had bath and a show by midnight. Pethadin at 1am as contractions were really strong although still only 2-3cm. 4am, taken to labour ward as needed monitoring because heart rate was dipping, went from 3cm to fully with an hour and a half, 10 minutes pushing.
From first niggle to birth - 15 hours
Established labour - 4 hours.