[mcg1929]

hi everyone! all of u guyz are awesome in this site,,,!!! very supportive and encouraging,,,my big concern is juz finished my job interview today and was told dat i was hired on the spot! i was so happy n at the same time horrified!!!! i feel like im not ready...m not comfortable doing procedures and i didnt have any experience at all,,,,can u imagine working from a retail store to a medical field! i guess i juz have to face it bec i know in my heart dat this is what i want and it will be a long term career for me,,,,they said that they will give me 2 wks orientation,,,is dat good enough? what do u in ur orientation?

thanks !

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by mcg1929

hi everyone! all of u guyz are awesome in this site,,,!!! very supportive and encouraging,,,my big concern is juz finished my job interview today and was told dat i was hired on the spot! i was so happy n at the same time horrified!!!! i feel like im not ready...m not comfortable doing procedures and i didnt have any experience at all,,,,can u imagine working from a retail store to a medical field! i guess i juz have to face it bec i know in my heart dat this is what i want and it will be a long term career for me,,,,they said that they will give me 2 wks orientation,,,is dat good enough? what do u in ur orientation?

thanks !

I received my initial LVN license during the early part of last year, and my first job was at a nursing home. I only received 8 hours of orientation before being cut loose to work on my own, although I was told I would have a 3 day orientation.

In my area, the typical orientation for a long term care facility is 3 days. Some people are lucky enough to get 1 week. In other worlds, you should feel overly blessed to be receiving 2 weeks, because this is a rarity. Good luck!

[nurseaboveboard]

Anyhow....to try and answer the poster, no I do not think two weeks of orientation is enough, new grad or old dog like me! You must take responsibility for your training and insist on more. Also ask any questions and ask often. I've never been afraid to show what I don't know or am unsure of. This approach has served me in my career. Also, the feelings you're having are normal, not just because you're a new grad, but also, it's a new job....always anxiety inducing! Best to you and good luck! we've ALL been there!

[medchick]

mcg1929,
First of all, congrats on your new job offer. It is a scary prospect to start something new, especially something so different than you are used to. I recently graduated in December and was terrified at starting a job in medicine even though I had years of experience as an Air Force medic. I also don't think 2 weeks is enough and would recommend asking for more. I got 12 weeks but it got cut 2 weeks short and I felt comfortable with that but I also have a great team. I wish you luck in whatever your final decision is. I am sure you will make a good nurse.

[Aprilhere]

Did I miss what the position is in? What type of facility/department? I don't think 2 weeks in LTC is unreasonable. It's actually pretty good from what I've seen. However I don't think that is anywhere near enough if it's in a hospital setting.

Congrats on your new job!

[mcg1929]

thanks a bunch again!!! im feeling a bit better....actually its a newly built nursing home..they gonna open this september 07,,but currently they're open and have 35 patients already...im just wondering i think they hire nurses esp lpn on the spot! because when i went there, the director of nursing has a long list of persons (LPN) to be interviewed...my friend was hired too!!! is that good or bad? (i mean being in a new facility)...

[erinp88]

mcg:

Make sure they have a good policy and procedures book to follow. Know it backwards/forwards. Also, make sure they have a reasonable staffing ratio. I worked at a new facility once (after already having 5 yrs experience) and they had absolutely no organization going on. Nobody knew who was supposed to note physician orders or schedule appointments for the residents. Things like that are typically done by by nurse managers and ward clerks where I live. There were physician orders laying out for 2 days before I found them and noted them myself. To make matters worse, it was supposed to be a staffing ratio of 1:20 (2 20 bed units), but sice they weren't "full" yet I had 35 patients. It was a nightmare.. IV's, tube feeds and high acuity rehab patients that couldn't breathe....and a MAR that wasn't up to date! UGH! I lasted one day!

Sorry, I'm not telling you this to intimidate you, you have to protect yourself and license. 3 -4 weeks I think would be an appropriate orientation for a new grad. If you're a whipper snapper and feel comfortable after 2, then fly!

For your orientation request to see their "policy and procedure book. See if they have an additional copy for you to take home and review. Know what needs to be done in emergent situations such as hypoglycemic events, sending someone to the ER and of course death. Things that may not occur during orientation but at least you have an idea of where to retrieve the information if needed.

[jimthorp]

My orientation was three days. After that I just took off on my own and tried to be independent all the while knowing the other two nurses on the unit were there when I needed help. I learned real quick how to better manage my time.

[swtgrl_bee]

hi there, goodluck on your work. you are really lucky to have a work already. because i am also a newly graduate and until now our result is not yet release.

[Tweety]

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