4 weeks with preceptor?!?!

Nurses New Nurse

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Hey everyone - Im a new grad and just started working. The orientation with a preceptor is only 4 weeks long. Does this sound unusual to anyone? I was under the impression that my orientation would be a couple of months long. My nurse manager said that if more time was needed, you can have two extra weeks. After one week with my preceptor, I am feeling like I will definitely be needing the full 6 weeks. However I am scared that my nurse manager will be annoyed with me, and that it will just be more work for her and my preceptor. They said by the end of orientation I will have worked my way up to a full load of 6-7 patients (ortho/neuro floor). 4 weeks does not seem like enough time to be taking that many patients and feeling comfortable at the same time. Im scared that I will feel rushed and not be able to handle it. Any advice???

WOAH! That is a scary thought. I just graduated in May, and I had 12 full weeks of orientation in Med/Surg. Dear Lord, if they told me I had 4 weeks, I would laugh at them, look at them like they were crazy, and walk out and NEVER turn back.

I once heard someone say that you could tell how much a hospital cares by their orientation program. I'd say this hospital either is completely confused and thinks you are a very experienced nurse, or they haven't a clue about a proper orientation length. If I were you, I'd go searching for a hospital that cared about your safety, the safety of your patients, and your overall sanity!!!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
WOAH! That is a scary thought. I just graduated in May, and I had 12 full weeks of orientation in Med/Surg. Dear Lord, if they told me I had 4 weeks, I would laugh at them, look at them like they were crazy, and walk out and NEVER turn back.

I once heard someone say that you could tell how much a hospital cares by their orientation program. I'd say this hospital either is completely confused and thinks you are a very experienced nurse, or they haven't a clue about a proper orientation length. If I were you, I'd go searching for a hospital that cared about your safety, the safety of your patients, and your overall sanity!!!

Thanks SayMay,

it definitely has taken its toll on me. I just got a call fr doc's office saying they found occult blood and want me to see a GI doc. This on top of the straight pee blood I had last Friday night.

Looking for work!

Lost sanity,

Chloe

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Specializes in Emergency.

Any hospital that doen't offer a new grad at least 3 months of orientation is crazy!

I am a new nurse on a tele unit. My orientation was 12 weeks long. 2 weeks of that was in classes, and the other 10 weeks on the floor with a preceptor. Even after 3 months, I was terrified to be "on my own", but I have a great support system, and found that this unit really does believe in teamwork. I always have help if I need it, and can go to other nurses with questions. Not that it's always wonderful, but if I had anything less than the 12 weeks I would have been in big trouble, since cardiac is so complicated. I worked on an ortho/neuro unit for a while in school as an NA, and in my opinion, it can be way crazier than tele at times, with all the post op pts and PCA narcs to deal with. If they won't give you more time, I would run.

Amy

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Well.....thanks for the support from all! It is so nice to hear from other nurses that I'm not the only one that thinks like I do. I just got a call from a nurse that heads a "mentor" program. Her job is to listen to concerns and see if she can help...it is to be confidential....I'm a little leary.......I told her about the nasty nurse. She says they have all had their run-ins with her and i'm not alone........I was told to try to avoid her and grow a thicker skin. I'm only hurting myself not her.....Easier said than done......She says it takes time to feel comfortable and likely a year to get there. In the mean time keep plugging away and it will all click one day. She said they dont want me to quit but its my decision. Told her i'm ok with my patients and the family, its the mixed signals I get and lack of support. I work with her tonight and she said she would be there for support if I need it. Talked to another nurse last night and she said they can't keep nurses on this floor. Partly because of the few nasty nurses and partly because of the acuity of the patients. They only have 2 nurses with seniority. The other nurses have all been there for 3 years or less and are new. What does that say for the unit and the management? It stinks!!!!!! Very poor management. The director is not supportive in the least. Never a good word onyl points out mistakes. Thats good for marale, eh? I'm looking for another job ASAP!

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I am a new grad and i got 4 wks orientation on a PP unit. I was suppose to have 12. But thanks to short staffing i got the boot into the real world. The only reason I tolerated it was b/c my preceptor sucked. I got moved to night shift and the RNs helped me tons. But in any other situation I would have said "hell no" and asked for full orientation. You gotta look out for #1 - you! Ask for the extra weeks of orientation.

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HELP!!!!!!!

I JUST STARTED new RN and my preceptor is good but goessss very fast and i feel like i cant keep up

feel like quitting after just 2 weeks

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

My first job, also in Southern Wisconsin as someone else mentioned, however this was in Portage, was 6-12 weeks. Basically a month of regular shadowing/computer/EKG etc and then you started carrying your teams on your shift.

For me it worked, I did about five weeks BUT this was a community hospital and my acuity was not that high. Post TK's, detoxs, a rare NG, lots of CP/CHF's.

When I moved to Georgia and started on my cardiac floor I was on orientation for about 1 week computer/general orientation, and 3-4 on the floor. 6 pt maximum load, tele, post cardiac cath with a dash of GI because some of the docs just like us.

My advice to you is to ALWAYS ask in your interviews, but since its a bit too late for that take the time to voice your concerns to your nursing supervisor. Talk to some of the other new grads, or people who started there as newbies.

Never be afraid to talk to your supervisor/HR/CEO if you feel something isn't safe, and always keep asking questions. A lot of times I believe systems are in place for efficiency/money/because no one voiced there was anything wrong with them. Don't be afraid.

Remember, as nurses we need to learn that they need us, we don't need that specific job. There are a million options out there for us and it is time we put our foot down and respectfully said

"Ms. Supervisor, I want to provide the best patient care I can for our patients, and I really feel this requires a little more time with my preceptor"

But don't forget that as a new grad we are all afraid, afraid of letting go of that safety net of our instructors, friends, preceptors. But always remember that no floor is devoid of amazing, experienced nurses who WILL be there for you. Look for those you trust and let them know you are there, and you WILL be asking them questions as a resource when you are on your own.

You can do this!

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