[debblynn13]

I just applied last week to several hospitals in the area. I would like to have some idea what people are recieving for orientation times in the different areas of nursing. I have applied for several different areas since I have no one area that I love over the other.

1. Area of Nursing:

2. Orientation time for that area:

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

Thank you for your answers. Hopefully I will have some interviews soon and can start answering those questions myself.

Debblynn

[Jessy_RN]

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

[debblynn13]

Thanks Jessica,

I think I am more nervous about my first nursing job than anything I have ever done. Everyone (teachers, nurses in clinicals, fellow studetns) says I will be a great nurse. But the more I know the more I realize how important this job is and how easy it is to mess up. I told the rest of my classmates during clinicals, to fake it until you make it. So that is I what I will do. I will exude confidence, ask questions, research like I was in school and sooner or later I'm sure I'll "make it".

Good luck to you in your schooling, soon you will be a nurse too!

Debblynn

[Altra]

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!

[rn-n- 2005]

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

[HappyNurse2005]

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.