Length of orientation

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

what is the average length of orientation for a new grad on med-surg floor?

I'm constantly amazed how long the orientation periods are in the US - when I say amazed, I'm not being facetious, I'm just so envious!!! In Australia, public system hospitals provide two days orientation where a massive group of people get orientated to the policies, procedures etc but when you actually get to the wards you're lucky if you get two days supernumery! I started a job in the ER six months ago and I had ONE day's orientation to the policies etc, all shown via powerpoint slides and my very first day on the floor after orientation, I was thrown into the fire - no supernumery days (where I shadowed someone to see how it's done), no support or guidance from the educator, although she gave me plenty of criticism! Australian health bureaucrats could learn something from the lengthy orientation that US nurses receive.

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I'm constantly amazed how long the orientation periods are in the US - when I say amazed I'm not being facetious, I'm just so envious!!! [/quote']

Wow and I don't feel like we get enough. I received 18 days of orientation and there was still so many many things I had no clue about. I can't understand only two days. How is that even safe ?

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12 weeks for new grad. 6 weeks with experience.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

When I was a new grad in mid surg, I got 6 weeks of orientation. I was the new grad crying in the bathroom before and after work. I can't fathom anything less than 6 weeks at the bare minimum!

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Specializes in ER.

I am on a med surg/ surgical. I am a new grad (May 2013). My orientation on the floor was 90 days. Before I was on the floor I had a week learning the computers and ins/outs of hospital. I started out taking 1 pt and as I got more comfortable took more with my preceptor helping me as needed.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

12 weeks total, 6 weeks on days and 6 weeks on nights.

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I know this thread is old.

I had 12 weeks and a year long residency where we met once a month for 8 hours. But I was on a specialized floor starting off. But even the regular med surg new grads at the hospital received 12 weeks.

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