How long was your initial orientation to the ER?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I'm interviewing for an ER job later this week. I've been a nurse for six months and I was wondering, if they did take a chance on me, how much orientation could I expect as a nurse with some experience?

I understand if I were to get a job at this hospital on med-surg, ortho, or PCU I'd probably only be orientated to the floor for three shifts at the most. I'm concerned that that's what might be expected for any nurse even one new to the specialty. How much orientated did you get?

Specializes in ED.

In my ED you get three months of orientation regardless of experience .

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

In 2 of the 3 hospitals where I've worked, ED orientation is 8 weeks for experienced ED nurses, 12 weeks for experienced nurses who have not worked in the ED before, and 16 weeks for new grads.

Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I was supposed to get 8-10 weeks but was off in 4.

I got 10 weeks and then 3 where my preceptor mentored me which really just meant we worked in the same area so if I was closer to her if I had questions.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Mine was 5 or 6 wks, I can't remember exactly. It was enough.

I'm interviewing for an ER job later this week. I've been a nurse for six months and I was wondering, if they did take a chance on me, how much orientation could I expect as a nurse with some experience?

I understand if I were to get a job at this hospital on med-surg, ortho, or PCU I'd probably only be orientated to the floor for three shifts at the most. I'm concerned that that's what might be expected for any nurse even one new to the specialty. How much orientated did you get?

2 or 3 shifts? That would be a bad orientation. When I worked in acute care everyone got at least 4 weeks orientation regardless of experience. Newer nurses usually got 8. In the ED where I work everyone with experience gets 6 weeks orientation in the department plus 2 weeks of computer training and hospital orientation. New grads get 12 months of orientation. Anyone with less than one year of experience but more than 6 months gets 8-10 weeks of department orientation.

Even as an experienced nurse I don't think I would take a job with only 3 shifts of training. Every hospital has specifics and different charting systems and requirements that you would be held accountable for knowing. I would like to think the hospital would offer you at least 6 weeks of training. Good luck!

I got 3 months coming from little over 1 yr ms background. Not to scare you but ms experience is mostly useless at ER, therefore i am glad you didn't waste too much time before having the privilege of working in ER! until 3rd month, i got overwhelmed at the speed and RPM of workload, but you get used to it and get comfortable with unimportant things that can be done later; it's all about priorities, good luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

We have 12 weeks for expienced nurses and 6 months for new grads

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

when I started as a new grad I got 9months on the floors (MICA/step down then a GI/remote tele floor for me) then went to the ED.. initially supposed to have 16wks, preceptor got sick and was out due to lap chole so I was on my own after about 9-10 weeks. On MICA I had a preceptor for a few months then "mentor", then on the medical/remote floor I had about 3 weeks orientation and was on my own after that. it worked out really well in my opinion.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I think I'll be getting 3 months. I've been a nurse for 2 years.

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

Just found out I'll be getting a month of orientation. It seems standard for these parts. Pretty excited over here!

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