Can I ask what would be considered a reasonable amount of time to orientate to a new post.
I have currently started working in a hospital in alberta and this is my first post working in Alberta, Canada. Many of the other internationals i've spoken with seem to be getting a good amount of time orientation. I have been given 7 shifts (mostly nightshifts as well). My job is working in a medical floor with 8-9 patients (for me) a total of 16 to 17 patients (over comp), the rest going to the LPN. As it's a rural hospital i'm the only RN on the shift with an LPN and an NA on dayshift and an RN and an LPN on nights. They are also expecting me to go work in the ER as the only RN (no one else on nights) on my own after 3 nightshift orientations. I'm very very stressed and living on nerves. I've asked for additional time to orientate and they've said they basically can't accommodate me as they are short staffed and my only option would be to come in when i'm on days off (i'm already working 4-5 shifts a week and am so tired as i'm stressed out it's hard to do). I'm not saying I won't do it - looks like my only option. I'm just wondering if anyone has any helpful advice.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
Hi janfrn Just a couple of questions from someone new to Canadian nursing. Bear with me . .
"11.03 The Employer shall provide a paid orientation period for all new Employees. The Employee's first seven shifts of patient/resident/client care shall be under guidance or supervision. Orientation to the site shall be provided prior to the conclusion of the aforementioned seven shifts.
This is experienced nurses - not new grads, right?
Thanks.
steph
Spidey'sMum:
Just to answer your question, no that applies to new grads as well. Long term orientations are in the specialties that we don't get in nursing school.
Fiona59 is quite correct. That clause applies to ALL new hires, and more lengthy orientations are reserved for specialty areas. And each specialty area determines its own orientation length. In our PICU a new grad will get 16 weeks which includes two weeks of classroom education, unless staffing is horribly short (and when isn't it?) and they decide to turn you loose early. In contrast, new grads in the NICU will get 12 weeks. There is a "new grad initiative" in Alberta whereby the new grad would be hired into a supernumerary position for a year, after which they are required to make applications for regular positions of not less than 0.5 FTE within one year od their initial appointment but aren't given any special consideration in the selection process. However, and this is huge... there are only two hospitals in the province who have new grads in these sorts of positions, and only in the ERs. Most units just can't have someone in a supernumerary position for that long becasue they're too desperate for staff.
Fiona59 is quite correct. That clause applies to ALL new hires, and more lengthy orientations are reserved for specialty areas. And each specialty area determines its own orientation length. In our PICU a new grad will get 16 weeks which includes two weeks of classroom education, unless staffing is horribly short (and when isn't it?) and they decide to turn you loose early. In contrast, new grads in the NICU will get 12 weeks. There is a "new grad initiative" in Alberta whereby the new grad would be hired into a supernumerary position for a year, after which they are required to make applications for regular positions of not less than 0.5 FTE within one year od their initial appointment but aren't given any special consideration in the selection process. However, and this is huge... there are only two hospitals in the province who have new grads in these sorts of positions, and only in the ERs. Most units just can't have someone in a supernumerary position for that long becasue they're too desperate for staff.
In regards to the new grad initiative in Alberta for suprenumary position for a year. That would be ideal for me, that way I can learn the way of Canadian Nursing. However when i asked my manager how much orientation or suprenumary time I could receive on Day Surgery, she could not give me that information. Which then makes me feel doubtful for ever thinking of nursing in Calgary as I dont wanna be left to the sharks or feel like i am drowning.
I have only been an RN in Australia for one year then I moved to Calgary and yet been away from nursing for over a year now. I would just hope the employer I go through is aware of this. Otherwise stress levels will explode probably???????
Maybe i should bring up that year suprenumary position to her????
I think they may be reluctant to offer you a position because they don't know if you are going to stick around. Whenever I read your posts you seem so undecided about where you want to be. If you discuss this at work, the desire to return to Australia, the powers that be might just not be willing to invest the money in an orientation for someone who plans to leave the country in the near future.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
In regards to the new grad initiative in Alberta for suprenumary position for a year. That would be ideal for me, that way I can learn the way of Canadian Nursing.
Maybe i should bring up that year suprenumary position to her????
:typing
Those supernumerary positions are only for new grads, meaning in their first year after passing their CRNE. There isn't any way you could get one of those spots. None. For the "exceptional foreign worker", someone from outside of Canada hired for a placement of 2 years or less, orientation will be the same as for anyone else, as previously indicated. There won't ever be an employer in Alberta who would hire an IEN for a supernumerary position because they can't include that nurse in thier staffing numbers and therefore can't really count on that nurse pulling his or her weight. It wouldn't make fiscal sense at all.
I am from England , hired by capital health as a registered nurse. My commencement date is first week of March 09. I will be working in Dialysis unit in Uof Alberta. I would like to know, how i would be oriented on my first week of employment.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
Your first week will be mostly regional orientation and U of A orientation. On the first day you'll get an introduction to how Alberta Health Services-Capital Health (as we're being called now) operates. The group might include RNs LPNs, x-ray techs, housekeeping and kitchen staff, and others. You'll get your ID card, your parking organized and fill out a bunch of forms for things like pension, life insurance, extended health insurance, tax withholding, union affiliation (not optional) and a ton of others. Be sure to read them carefully. Then you'll get the basic orientation all new hires get for fire safety, anaphylaxis, body mechanics, a review of the Code Blue response and a couple of other important tidbits. Day 2 will be more nursing specific, with learning how to operate the new IV pumps, the glucometer, some basic compuer stuff and anything else they've added since I had my orientation six years ago. Then you'll go on to your unit-specific orientation. The first couple of days of that will likely be familiarizing you with equipment and documentation, where things are stored and how to access things not readily available. Then you'll move on to preceptored shifts. The contract stipulates a minimum of seven 8 hour shifts of orientation that includes the hospital stuff, but you will probably have more as you're coming from outside the country. Best of luck.
If they've been hired by NARP the orientation will more than likely include the 8 week dialysis course, so the Capital Health Dialysis certificate can be obtained. Different machines probably.
Hi, thanks for the info. It sounds very organised.
By the way, what is NARP.
I would like to ask also about my registration. It says that i have to work for certain hours before i could apply. Are they also considering the hours of my supernumerary period.
OK, the UofA hospital is responsible for all the Dialysis nurses. Will you actually be working in the UofA on the acute dialysis unit or will you be at one of the satellite sites for out patients? The satellite units are located at different hospitals around the city. NARP is also responsible for the dialysis bus that travels to smaller centres and the units in Red Deer and some of the northern towns. If you are willing to travel, OT used to be available up in some of the smaller towns (room and board allowance was provided).
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
Hi, thanks for the info. It sounds very organised.
By the way, what is NARP.
NARP is the Northern Alberta Renal Programme. There are many satellite dialysis units in the northern part of the province that are hired for and administered out of Edmonton in addition to the Edmonton area hosptial based clinics.
I would like to ask also about my registration. It says that i have to work for certain hours before i could apply. Are they also considering the hours of my supernumerary period.
thanks.
Not sure exactly what you mean. Are you talking about the "1125 hours in the past five years" part? Unless you're a new grad, have been working fewer than five years or have worked less than a 0.1 FTE over the past five years, that part isn't a problem. New grads must have graduated from a recognised and accepted by CARNA nursing school. Those in the workforce less than five years will be prorated, but 1125 hours is just a little more than a 0.5 FTE, so anyone who has worked full time for at least six months will be good. And yes, your supernumerary hours count. BUT, and this is a big BUT, you won't be allowed to work as an RN (provide hands-on care) until your registration is complete, so your supernumerary hours only count toward subsequent registration years. When you start working for AHS-CH, you'll have a probationary period of 503.75 hours (13 weeks of 8 hour shifts or 43.3 - 12 hours shifts) during which time either "side" can end the employment agreement without recourse to grievance.
Basically, i was interviewed in person last year by three renal managers in Uof Alberta hospital. I was told that i will be working in Uof A. I took the CRNE (June 2008) first before i made my final decision to move to Canada. Luckily I passed it. I have been working in dialysis unit for over a decade in a full time basis.
Regarding my question with my registration, i am a little bit confuse. I know that i have to apply for my practice permit first and it's valid for six months, right? If my start date is first week of march 09 in U of A hosp, when i could apply for my license? Capital health hired me as Registered nurse, one year contract and full time.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
In Canada a practice permit is the same as a license. The permit year runs from October 1 to September 30. If you apply for a permit in the middle of the permit year, the permit will still expire on September 30. Anyone who applies after May 1 of the current practice year will get a small discount on their registration fees; anyone applying before will pay the full rate. Because you've already passed your CRNE you will be eligible for a full registration and not have to go with a temporary permit. Before you're allowed to do any hands-on nursing care even during orientation, you have to have your practice permit in hand, or proof that you've been given a permit but haven't received it in your hand yet. Since you're not going to save any money by waiting, I suggest you apply for your permit early, so that you actually have it in hand when you arrive.
:typing
NotReady4PrimeTime, RN
5 Articles; 7,358 Posts
Fiona59 is quite correct. That clause applies to ALL new hires, and more lengthy orientations are reserved for specialty areas. And each specialty area determines its own orientation length. In our PICU a new grad will get 16 weeks which includes two weeks of classroom education, unless staffing is horribly short (and when isn't it?) and they decide to turn you loose early. In contrast, new grads in the NICU will get 12 weeks. There is a "new grad initiative" in Alberta whereby the new grad would be hired into a supernumerary position for a year, after which they are required to make applications for regular positions of not less than 0.5 FTE within one year od their initial appointment but aren't given any special consideration in the selection process. However, and this is huge... there are only two hospitals in the province who have new grads in these sorts of positions, and only in the ERs. Most units just can't have someone in a supernumerary position for that long becasue they're too desperate for staff.