How long is your orientation??

[healer27]

Just curious -- how long what is the average length of orientation for new grads - based on my experience and friends etc its generally 6 - 8 weeks.

Does this match up with all of you?

[angel337, MSN, RN]

2 years is too long. i would worry about any nurse that needed that much orientation. and what hospital will pay for that?? i think that if you weren't comfortable after 6-9 months, it would be time to reevaluate career options.

[tamari07]

i'm doing 10-12 weeks on a neuro unit.

[hica19]

6-8 weeks on a med/surg floor.

[AuntieRN]

6-8wks is the general on our med/surg unless you need more.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

Two years?????????? Sorry, if you can't cut it in six months, our organization isn't going to invest two years. That's generous, but not wise in my opinion.

I agree. But that is their policy. I have not yet seen anyone take more than six months.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

I've got 11 weeks on labor and delivery. Though, i don't know if thats the same for everyone or not. I have been a nurse for 15 months before coming here, though, which only helps with minor things in this unit-i can start an iv, do cathethers, etc

[hlfpnt, BSN, RN]

I work in a long term acute care facility. About 85% of our census are multi-system failure vent patients. We get 19 weeks (the first 90 days of employ) for orientation & training...average nurse/patient ratio is 6-7:1. We spent 1 1/2 weeks in a class room doing review first. I really didn't mind that because I saw it as a really nice review for NCLEX.

[All_Smiles_RN]

My orientation on telemetry was supposed to be 12 weeks... but they cut it down to 6 weeks...

[kenesha212002]

6 months for CCU.....it included classroom time (Critical care course, EKG 101 and 201, hemodynamic monitoring and how to read a 12 lead EKG), going to specialty units like the OR, GI lab, and Specials ( where the get PICC lines, spinal taps, and stress tests), and than actually being on the unit for your 12 hours shifts.

I thought this was really good because you were able to see the procedure and it helps you better explain it to your patients and their families.

I beleive that I got a pretty ok orientation....but I don't think any new grad feels completely comfortable coming off no matter how long you get.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

8 weeks on med/surg....they tell everyone at hiring that it's a minimum of that, and if they need more, they can take up to 14 weeks, but that's BS from what I've gathered. No one gets that. 12 hour shifts, 3 days a week for 8 weeks = 24 days and you're on your own.

[Slobgob]

will be 6 months (can have up to two years if needed)...also ICU

6 months sounds like a good orientation... but in a nurse deprived field... i wouldn't bank that they'll uphold their end of the bargain if you actually asked for another 18 months... =)

[SillyLilly]

6-8 weeks tele/medsurg. But they said I can take longer if needed.