First job where? and Length of orientation?

Debbylyn,

I don't have much advice to give as I am not a nurse, but I do want to wish you the best of luck in landing a good job. Keep us posted to the outcome

I start my first job next week. It's a position in the ED. My orientation will be 12-16 weeks, and that orientation was one of the primary reasons I selected this position over 2 other offers.

I'm not sure about the pt. ratio. I have spent some time in the dept., and from what I saw I would make an educated guess of about 4-5 pts., but in the ED this varies widely based on acuity, overall dept. flow, etc.

Best of luck to you!

1. Oncology - (Adult) inpatient. 1 side of the unit is private rooms so they're for the neutropenic pt's mostly. The other side of the unit is for cancer pt's and if the hospital is full then the overflow goes there.

2. My orientation is 12 weeks. The last 2 weeks is chemo classes.

3. Nurse/Pt. ratio is 1/4-5. But if you have a lot of chemo or hanging a lot of blood, the charge nurse who makes assignments, takes that into account. Also, everyone helps everyone else out. Our techs can draw blood (not from a central line) and place a peripheral IV. Most of the pt's have central lines which makes things easier at times...

Hope this helps and good luck.

Ann

1. Area of Nursing:
cardiac surgery pcu. Many many post cardiac surgery pt's-cabg's, valve replacements, pacemakers, etc. many pre-ops, chest pain, cardiac cath's,etc.

2. Orientation time for that area:
12 weeks, approx. more if i need it.

3. Bonus question: Nurse/pt ratio on the floor:
1:3 to 1:5, depending.

1st job - Med-Surg

Orientation - 8 weeks patient contact (2 weeks in class didn't count)

Nurseatient ratio - 1 : 4-6 on daylight and evening. Higher overnight.

1. Area of Nursing: CVICU


2. Orientation time for that area: 9 months to 1 year

3. Bonus question: Nurse/pt ratio on the floor: 1:1 or 1:2

1. Area of nursing: Med-Surg

2. Orientation: 8-12 weeks; Depends on how you are doing.

3. Nurse:Pt ratio: 1:4-5

1. Area of nursing: ICU

2. Orientation: 3 months

3. nurset ratio: 1:2