New Grads! What was your first orientation like for you?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi all,

I've been offered a 32 hour overnight position at a psychiatric long term care facility. They are offering a very generous 6 weeks orientation in which I would be trained during day shifts. I was wondering about some of your own experiences with orientations; ie what was it like, how soon did you become more independent, etc? Was it intimidating as a new grad; any good stories to share?

Specializes in Emergency Room.

Wasn't impressed with mine. They offered 10 day "orientation" for new hires and 20 day "orientation" for new grads. "Orientation" I quickly learned (a skilled LTC facility) was basically 3 days working under a preceptor and passing their meds and another 17 days of just outright working by myself and asking someone if I had any questions. I'm pretty sure they got in trouble for doing that at a later date. My last job I started a month ago wasn't much better but at that point I wasn't a new grad so it wasn't as bad as it would have been if I was.

Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.
Wasn't impressed with mine. They offered 10 day "orientation" for new hires and 20 day "orientation" for new grads. "Orientation" I quickly learned (a skilled LTC facility) was basically 3 days working under a preceptor and passing their meds and another 17 days of just outright working by myself and asking someone if I had any questions. I'm pretty sure they got in trouble for doing that at a later date. My last job I started a month ago wasn't much better but at that point I wasn't a new grad so it wasn't as bad as it would have been if I was.

Yeah I hear that, orientation isnt exactly what it should be, and if you don't pick it up quickly your looked down on.

When I was a new grad, I had six weeks orientation on Medical floor at a hospital. I am a new hire at a care facility, received five(8hrs) shift orientation, two days, two evenings and one night. Six weeks was great for being a new grad. Five days was fine for being a new hire, not new grad. Most facility will give you more orientation days if you need it.

I'm in th eprocess of going thru myvery first orientattion as a new grad. I had 5 days on 7-3, 5 days 3-11 and am on day one of five during the 11-7 overnight shift which is the shift I was hired for. So far, so good! Everyone has been pretty cool and are very helpful. I feel much more confident already I work in the sub acute unti of a LTC facility. So far I've passed meds, given shots ( a few ppd's too!) , assisted ostomy care, done a ton of finger sticks too. I think I'll be ready to go when my final week is up. I can ask for more time if needed, but I think I'll be ok! Good luck to you.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

When I was a new grad LVN in 2006, I received approximately one 8-hour shift of orientation at a nursing home before I was cut loose to work on my own. The director of nursing had promised me three days of orientation, but that promise never came to fruition.

Since this was my first job in nearly 18 months, I had to find a way to make it work out.

When I was a new lpn grad I went to ltc and I had 2 12 hour shifts of orientation.

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