[L&DRN2008]

I am a GN who will be starting my orientation soon. I have worked mother/baby as a nurse tech (contingent) for five months. I was informed that my orientation will be 10 weeks long. The orientation includes: high risk, l&d, OR and mother/baby (minimal since I already have some experience). I am completely freaking out over this! I know if they don't feel that I am ready at 10 weeks they can extend it a little, but there is a lot of pressure being put on the new grads because they need the staff! This is at a very busy urban hospital that has 4000+ births/year.

[kakamegamama]

Meet often w/your preceptor & manager to track your progress. If at any point you feel you need to stay in one area a little longer, express that & perhaps even insist upon it. You'll do fine. Don't expect yourself to function above a novice, because that is what you are. Use your resources wisely--videos, preceptor, hands on, however you can suppliment your learning. Best of luck to you & enjoy!

[rnmom2boys]

I feel your pain! I was supposed to have 12 weeks orientation and was given a patient on my own only 9 weeks into it. Then, once I was officially off of orientation, I was never given a mentor to use as a resource. Could you suggest to your manager that an experienced RN should be assigned to you each shift - maybe for the next year - that you can use as your mentor? You could go to that person as questions arise, review your plan of care and charting, etc.? Just make sure you document - document- document!!! If you ask someone a question, include it in your documentation - "reviewed with Joe Blow RN" - that way they can't deny that they never reviewed it with you! Believe me, you will use it in the future because I've had a charge nurse deny they were aware of a situation. Protect yourself.

[bt-jrsygrl]

WOW... WEEKS!?!?!?! I am a new grad (almost 1 yr ago) and am an L & D nurse. My orientation with a preceptor was 7 months. Now mind you I was given more and more rope as my skills increased but I still had my "guardian angel" with me each day. I am now on my own and we all still compare judgements on strips , decels etc etc etc. I have found L and D is not a learn and done job but an always changing area with lots to learn that only comes with experience. I wish you all the luck in the world. I love it but I will consider myself a beginner for many months to come.

[jodyangel]

I'm about to finish my 12 week orientation. Am I ready? Well no but I do think I will learn some by having to sort things out myself. BUT I intend to find someone I'm working with each shift to bounce my thoughts off of. I'm told I won't feel comfortable until at least a year. So I don't expect to feel secure. I will ask ask ask!!! And yes document.

[bt-jrsygrl]

Originally Posted by jodyangel

I'm about to finish my 12 week orientation. Am I ready? Well no but I do think I will learn some by having to sort things out myself. BUT I intend to find someone I'm working with each shift to bounce my thoughts off of. I'm told I won't feel comfortable until at least a year. So I don't expect to feel secure. I will ask ask ask!!! And yes document.

That's exactly what I do. Most of our nurses are more than ready and willing to help. I think the best nurses are the ones that say I do not know it all. (safer too) Good luck to us both :-)

[GrumpyRN63]

New grad orientation at my lg teaching hospital is 6 months for L & D

[jodyangel]

Well after my First meconium vag birth last night; I decided another week would really be beneficial to me. So I am popping an email off to the person who oversee's the new orientee's. At first I thought it might not be looked so favorably on, but I asked and was told lots of new nurses ask for some more time on orientation. They have had me here and there and everywhere for a few weeks, and I just think another week of Just doing L&D would really help me with my skills at handling things on my own, but with someone very nearby. I want to be as Safe as I can on the job. So hopefully they won't see it as a flaw...

[KT-Jay731]

I feel very fortunate that I've been told my orientation will be around 6 months in length, I can't imagine being "set free" after a few weeks!!!
Good luck!

[mom2michael]

I've been on 4 interviews now with 4 different facilities and their L&D departments all have an min. orientation time of 6-9 months. PP/WBN has averaged around 12 weeks.

The facility I am seriously considering will have me on orientation for a total of 12 months. 3 months PP/WBN and 9 months L&D.