[WillBRN2009]

Hi everyone.

I am starting my first nursing job on Monday at our local Nursing Home. I graduated LPN the end of May, took my boards, did fine, and now the its time for the J-O-B!! I am absolutely terrified! I will be given 3 days of orientation on day shift, then I will start work. The catch is, I will be working 3rd shift, 10p-6a. I'm concerned re: orienting on days and working nights, and only the 3 days of time with a preceptor.

Anyone with words of advice?

Thanks,
Vicki
(WillBRN2009)

[purple_rose_3]

Run as fast as your legs will carry you AWAY from this place.

[medsurgrnco]

I don't know how orientation is usually done in nursing homes or for LPN's. But in hospitals, new RN grads work with a preceptor on the shift they will be working on for 6-12 weeks or more if needed.

[caringnursenj]

Not sure how they do it there but when I was a new grad I was given four weeks of orientation and an additional two weeks if I didn’t feel ready yet. It depends on you too. If you feel that you are confident and can work safely with the orientation they are giving you, then it’s your decision. But in my own opinion, three days of time with a preceptor is just too short a time.

Originally Posted by WillBRN2009

Hi everyone.

I am starting my first nursing job on Monday at our local Nursing Home. I graduated LPN the end of May, took my boards, did fine, and now the its time for the J-O-B!! I am absolutely terrified! I will be given 3 days of orientation on day shift, then I will start work. The catch is, I will be working 3rd shift, 10p-6a. I'm concerned re: orienting on days and working nights, and only the 3 days of time with a preceptor.

Anyone with words of advice?

Thanks,
Vicki
(WillBRN2009)

[husker_rn]

I work LTc and even tho I have years of experience I had two weeks of orientation. Three days is not even close to enough. Run, don't walk if you cannot be oriented/precepted for a minimum of 2-3 weeks.

[Eiano]

I'm going to agree...

Your first job? and they're only giving you 3 days?

I've worked in a grocery store where the orientation alone was 2 weeks/80 hours: One week of computer training and one week of actually being on the floor and there were STILL some things I didn't learn in those 2 weeks which I had to learn on the floor.

I would NOT be happy making a critical nursing error on the 4th day of my job all because they didn't want to pay to train me 1 more day and trust me, they will have no problem taking your license away.. after all you went through orientation, so therefore you should be prepared for EVERYTHING!

[WillBRN2009]

I am nervous about the 3 days, I intend to talk to them more when I get there and find out why its only 3 days, etc. Wal*Mart offers more training and they certainly aren't making life/death decisions! I need the job, I need the money, and its pretty good money, esp for a new grad and in this area! I don't want to set myself up to fail, but on the other hand, I won't know if I don't try!