[christvs]

Originally Posted by Rayrae

Hi Chris! I am in my classroom orientation for my new job right now- it's a pediatric medical floor. We have three weeks of classroom orientation, and the first couple of days we went over policies of the hospital in general and benefits and that kind of thing. Now we have been having presenters from different parts of the hospital to talk about their roles, some practical skill sessions with their equipment, and some computer charting training. It has been overwhelming to have so much class every day, but the information will hopefully help me out once I get out on the floor- it seems like a LOT right now, but once it sinks in and I have patients I think it will make more sense. We have two months after the classroom stuff with a preceptor, which I will be very glad for. I hope your job turns out to be what you're hoping for!

Thanks Rayrae for responding. I talked to one of the nurse educators today on the phone & she was telling me what kinds of things they'll be going over during the orientation & it sounds a lot like what you were describing-with computer training, visits from OT, PT, etc. I can't wait to get started! It's so exciting to finally start working! I know I'll like the floor I'm on cuz it is the same floor I did my senior student intership on last semester-& I used to work there as a nursing assistant before that-so it is really nice to know all the staff already & where things are kept, etc. It reduces some of the stress that comes with starting a new job! Thank you to all of you who posted helpful comments!
-Christine

[TypicalFish]

Originally Posted by christvs

I was simply trying to see what it is I should expect from my classroom RN orientation. Who said I was second guessing it? I am excited to be an RN finally after being in school for so long, & I like to know as much as I can about something before it starts-hence, my post here asking you guys what I can expect from it. This is the whole point of this forum-to ask others for their opinions, give advice, etc.

Chris-I start soon, also, and even though I've worked at the hospital I am going to for 14 years ( I left a few years ago for school)-I am very curious/excited/nervous about my orientation. I know two days are typical hospital-wide orientation, and then a couple of days with all care-providers, but after that I don't know. I am nervous, too, because I already feel like I forgot everything I learned in nursing school. Yikes! let us know how it was!

[schroeders_piano]

I'm jealous. My orientation at my first nursing job consisted of this key unlocks the med room and this key unlocks the med cart. Skim through this policy book when you have time. Of course I had so much time to sit down and read the policy book. Congrats, on the job. Now the fun begins.

[HappyNurse2005]

It may have een "boring" but you will need these skills when you are on your own. Nursing school was one thing. Now, the real world approaches you. You can never be over prepared. Don't be over confident as a new grad. Be thankful for all the review you can get. Over confidence leas to serious errors.

Overconfident? No. I am so not overconfident-ask my preceptor, I think I suck. I said it was boring because class for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks is long. Yes, listening to someone talk and talk and talk was boring. I read my book they gave us with it. I listened. I learned a few new things. I had much, much review of stuff we already learned. I did really like the cardiac monitoring class.
But I am human, not supernurse or superstudent. 6 hours a day of class, any class, is boring. Admitting that does not make me overconfident, nor mean that I wasn't paying attention.