How long was your orientation

[porkey2]

Hi allnurses, I was wondering how long was your orientation. I will be working on a 23 hour observation unit and I believe my orientation will be about 4 to 6 weeks. I'm hired for on midnights and I will only spend two weeks on days, then I start nights. Do you guys think that's enough time. I'm a bit concerned as others seem to have anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks or more. I live in Michigan but please do not post there, as there is hardly any activity/response there. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

Are you a new grad or have experience elsewhere? I can't answer your question, but I think that's something others need to know to answer you

[porkey2]

Yeah, Im a new grad, I have been out of school since May 2012.

Are you a new grad or have experience elsewhere? I can't answer your question, but I think that's something others need to know to answer you

[RNCEN]

I am a new grad, and started in the ER. My orientation was 16 weeks, and I have been on my own for 2 weeks. I was told the national average length of orientation for new grads in the ER is 16 weeks...so that's what we got. There is a lot to learn, and I'm certainly nowhere near done! I have a few friends that started out on our 23 hour Obs unit, and they got 6 weeks.

[JustinAllen]

As a new grad mine was 6 months and they also put us through the ENA Emergency Room Orientation program. This is at a level 1 teaching hospital.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Hi allnurses I was wondering how long was your orientation. I will be working on a 23 hour observation unit and I believe my orientation will be about 4 to 6 weeks. I'm hired for on midnights and I will only spend two weeks on days, then I start nights. Do you guys think that's enough time. I'm a bit concerned as others seem to have anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks or more. I live in Michigan but please do not post there, as there is hardly any activity/response there. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance![/quote']

While that is on the shorter side, obs units are generally less acute than other floors and will no doubt have tons of protocals in place for the common diagnosises seen (ie chest pain). Assuming you can get good time management to deal with the constant admissions and discharges, then I thin you'll be fine

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I had 17 weeks in the ER as a new grad. As an experienced nurse I've gotten 4-6 weeks. For a new grad that's really skimpy.

[porkey2]

Thanks everyone.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I have one more week left, which puts me at 12 weeks.

[FERNtastic]

I work at a level 1 trauma facility in a large, urban, county-run teaching hospital. I'm on the medical side and as a new grad had about 20 weeks of orientation. Was also put through a critical care class (based on the ENA orientation program). We have a ratio of 3-1, though sometimes 4-1. Really doesn't make a difference whether they are all ICU or med/surg level patients, unless you're doing tPA in which case it's 1:1. It's my first week going solo, and I'm amazed at all the "firsts" I've encountered this week despite my generous orientation.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Thanks everyone.

I just want to say that unless you are also going to be working ER, which it doesn't sound like, your orientation will be nothing like an ER orientation. It will cover significantly less material, which can be covered in much less time. I doubt there will be a need for you to know more specialized skills that are used in the ER, like peds or critical care patients

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

6 months as a new nurse on med surg, 3 months when I moved to the ED after a year