How long is an acceptable amount of time for ne LPNs to orient?

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Dec 13, 2015

This is pretty normal for LTC. While you are orienting, make yourself "cheat sheets." Start of with a schedule of what should be done in what time period. I also had a list of how each resident took their meds. Who had meds on which med pass. We do meal time med passes in the dining room, I had a seating chart for this. On my nurses list for the day, I write in who has Blood Sugars when, who needs vitals, were skilled and follow ups. I would highlight those so I made sure to focus on that. I will also write down when PRN meds were given so I can pass that on to the next nurse on the nurses list for the shift. If someone has a med outside of the med pass times, I write that down too. You can take this and type up a sheet using columns for time periods.

It does sound overwhelming at a first is is very overwhelming. You will pick up the pace as you go along. Wish you well. I earned my license in March, started my job in April so I know exactly how you are feeling.

I.can.do.this.18 · Dec 13, 2015

Thank you so much! How long did you orient for?

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Dec 13, 2015

I had about 6 days. It was very scary going all alone. My ADON and DON said to call them anytime I had a questions, which I did.

andreasmom02 · Dec 14, 2015

A LTC facility was my first LPN job. I was given two days of orientation, then thrown to the wolves, literally. It was a very poorly run facility though, with the worst foul-mouthed, lazy LPNs I had ever worked with. I worked there I think a total of 3 or 4 days then quit. I took another job later in a clinic setting that I liked much better. As the other poster said, make cheat sheets, ask lots of questions, study your nursing books, etc. Good luck!

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Dec 14, 2015

That would be my first red flag honestly. I have worked in many nursing homes - the only that was ever decent is the one I am in now where I was offered as many training days as I needed to feel comfortable (and I have been an LPN for 5 years). I had 6-7 shifts of training, which was great because I had been out of LTC for some time. 4 days for a new grad is just unacceptable and a mistake waiting to happen.

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Dec 15, 2015

While I have heard this a lot and saw it at the one LTC facility that I ever worked, I would NEVER have agreed to it if I were a new grad. The new grads that I 'trained' got three days, same amount of time that I got with prior nursing experience. They would be the only licensed staff in the building. I felt they were being put in a really bad situation. You worked hard to get your license. If you don't feel comfortable after orientation, speak up. If they're unwilling to extend it, run, because safety obviously isn't one of their top priorities.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

In the area where I live, it is the norm for new grad LVNs to typically receive three days of orientation in LTC facilities. Management will laugh in your face if you ask for more time.

LTC orientation is a time to learn the facility's paperwork, policies, general work flow, and the locations of things. It is not a time to learn the clinical practicum skills you might not have been taught in school. Good luck to you.

W100 · Dec 17, 2015

40 shifts at my current job

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Dec 17, 2015

I got 4 days. It sucks bad the first few weeks, but you get the hang of it. I often had 40. I recently switched to ambulatory care.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2015

I got 4 days.

As a new LVN, I received one 8-hour shift worth of orientation before being cut loose to work by myself. I was promised three days of training, but my 'preceptor' was sick and stayed home on days two and three of what would have been my new hire orientation.

And yes, it was not an ideal situation.

Neural · Dec 18, 2015

8-16 shifts, depending on how quickly someone is picking it up.

Most of the staff are more than willing to help you navigate situations that you didn't see in orientation. They were all new once, too, and since LPN is often considered a 'stepping stone' job, many LPNs were 'new' not that long ago.