Re: Is 4-6 weeks orientation time enough for a new grad?
I was hired on right out of school to a ortho-uro-neuro dept. I had 5 weeks of orientation; in fact I'm starting on my own tomorrow night. However, I had previous experience on the floor because I was a student nurse 2 (which is similar to a LPN) in the same hospital and did that orientation on that floor and did my practicum for school on the floor. So, I feel as ready as I will be, but understand how someone fresh would need/want more orientation.
A couple of weeks ago a nurse that had been there less than a year mentioned some kind of error she made on some paperwork that had to be corrected. An old-timer said "You're still within your 5 yr period, so you're excused." I really think how many weeks orientation isn't as important as whether you have people on your floor that will help you survive that first year...first 5 yrs...will be there when you need them.
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