Mentor, orientation, or trial by fire?

fetch, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2013

In a non-hospital setting, run by an international plasma company, I had 2-3 days of computer training and then minimum 6 weeks of shadowing another nurse. That ended up getting extended to 8 weeks due to misplaced paperwork, and during that time I also cross-trained to non-nursing duties that were primarily done by MAs and phlebotomists (the nurse who was hired before me did even more cross-training in the same period, and the nurse hired after me did far less, so it was really self-directed/depended on how busy the center was).

While it was frustrating at times to have to undergo training for stuff I had literally just gotten a degree in, and to have to keep up with quarterly training requirements, it was also very nice to have clear expectations and well-documented training. It reinforced a lot of what I already knew and gave me a clear pathway for going forward on my own (nurses frequently worked alone and with a doctor only available via phone at this center).

As a school nurse, the coordinator of nurses for my district was thrown into school nursing without any training beforehand (~15 years ago). She hated the "trial by fire" so much that now she's organized 3 days of orientation for new nurses as well as 3 days of annual training for all nurses at the start of the school year. In addition, we get mentor nurses at local schools, and don't have to take any student nurses for our first year, as she knows we are still learning the ropes. She is a blessing!

nursejami · Dec 2, 2013

Two weeks of "classroom" orientation, random scattered residency classes while orienting on the floor, 4 weeks of floor precepting.

I was a tech and LPN on my floor previously also, thank God, because 4 weeks of orientation is ridiculous. Also, I have awesome co-workers, which helps. :)

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Dec 2, 2013

I found my first nursing job, in assisted living, 10 months after graduation. After 2 weeks on the med cart, I was on my own. For the next job, in a SNF I got 3 days of group orientation and 2-1/2 days on the floor, then I was on my own. My current job, in home health, gives 2 shifts of orientation per case.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Dec 3, 2013

Back in the dark ages (1983) we were on orientation from our date of hire (usually late May) until we got our board results....at least 6-8 weeks.....We worked as GNs and also had regular hospital orientation. We were put in charge as soon as we got our RN.....but by then we had time under our belts. Could have been better, could have been a whole lot worse!

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Dec 3, 2013

My feet were drenched before I ever stepped foot on the floor as an RN. Working as a CNA in LTC, hospice, home health, and Med Surg is what really prepared me.

If you don't get any solid healthcare experience before you become an RN, it's going to feel like "Trial by fire" no matter what kind of orientation or mentoring you have.

zeus&lincoln · Dec 3, 2013

I think having CNA experience gets you exposed much more than clinicals did to all things nursing related, but I in no way feel that it should be used in lieu of a thorough orientation. CNA or NT roles do not equal the role as an RN. These folks mentioning how they only received a few days of orientation seems nuts and like an excellent way to loose your license! I worked too hard to get a RN license to lose it on account of a poor orientation. This just seems like a very dangerous situation for the patients and for your license.

Kaltia · Dec 3, 2013

I had eight weeks of orientation on the floor and got thAt only because I pressed for it. The floor was very short staffed and it's a miracle I got that much. I saw numerous people get less and really struggle. I shouldn't need to hand hold you for your first few shifts off orientation if I have to we didn't give you enough time.