3 day orientation for new LPN

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Specializes in LTC.

I will be starting my first job as a nurse on Friday! YAY!!!

I called HR today to ask what my schedule would be. She said I would train for 2 days on the day shift and 1 day on evenings and then I will be on my own. I don't know if this is normal for LTC but I don't know if I can do this. What can I do? I really need a job and LPN jobs are few and far between, it seems like.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

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

3 days of LPN orientation at a nursing home for a new grad? Consider yourself blessed. 3 day orientations are the norm in my area.

When I was a new grad in early 2006, I only received 1 whopping 8-hour day of orientation before being cut loose to work on my own. You learned basic nursing skills during your time in school, and this short orientation is simply intended to grasp the routine, paperwork, and learn a little about the residents. A nursing home orientation is not paid practicum time.

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I agree with TheCommuter... consider yourself lucky with 3 days of orientation. I only had two, and believe me...once you are cut loose you feel like you didn't learn anything. One thing that I learned in my tortuous first week alone was to be organize and not let anyone interrupt me during med pass. If they need something, jot it down on a piece of paper and do it later. If someone comes to ask questions, tell them you'll do it after you are done pouring this patient's medication. Never EVER tell them that you'll take care of them in a certain amount of time i.e: 15 mins... because they will come within 14mins and 30 secs to ask again. Ask people for help, don't be afraid of doing it, especially during admissions.

Most important of all, trust yourself... you will make it, you just need to develop your routine and then you'll be fine.

Good luck

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Specializes in LTC.

Thanks for the reassurance. And the great advice about med passes. What about prioritizing? Is that something I will just have to figure out?

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Specializes in LTC.

I can say as a CNA in the past, I knew to not interrupt my nurses. I can only pary my CNA's will know the same! I did infact, write it down for them then just lay it on their cart or desk. An error can mean life or death with some meds. How awful it would feel to be the one to cause the error! I noticed the LPN's getting like 2 days and MAYBE an evening before being on their own. The only problem with that, IMO, is that each shift runs differently. You can't be trained on days routine when nites is soooo different! I know from what my staff development contact said, I will get 2-3 days depending on my shift. But I also already have some experience in LTC under my belt too. Just not as an LPN. But as I was in school, most of the nurses took me under their wing and showed me some ropes. Just remember, you have to find your comofort zone. Follow policy & procedure always! Safety for your patients is first priority!

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Specializes in SNF-LTC; Gero-psych.

Our facility tries to give you 3 days *now* of orientation... When I started there 2.5 years ago I got one 12 hr shift on *dayshift* and I was called in to work the night after that.. Which I guess there was some difference for me, my mom was the Skilled Hall supervisor.. I called her at home and she guided me through alot of my needs that night.

Now 2.5 years later I am one of the few that has stayed at my SNF.. I have been a nurse

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Wow! I'm shocked at how little a new LPN is giving orientation at the places the posters work at.

I am a new grad LPN (grad 6/08) and I am working in a SNF now. I get 6 weeks orientation (32 hrs per week) for my orientation! I would be scared out of my mind to only get 3 days to feel my way around getting to know the routine of the floor, the med pass, the patients, the staff, how they document etc....

I'm so very thankful for the amount of time I get for orientation. The thing I don't like is 4 of the 6 wks orientation is done on a shift I am not going to be working (I will be doing 3-11p) but the majority of my training is done on days.

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Feel lucky for the 3 days. I have been a nurse for 2yrs and just recently decided to go from home health to med surg. I only got 1 12hr. day of orientation and then I was on my own....I have been there for 1 month and still dont know how to use the computer system... I still feel lost but I am a awsome at med passing:wink2: Ha!! If you can read you can pass meds,,right????? I have questioned my nursing abilities since I have changed jobs....

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Specializes in LTC.

wow... i'm like ct pixie..i received 6 weeks of orientation at my first ltc job straight out of school...that's only for new grads mind you...i started my second ltc job 4 months ago and i got 2 days orientation..which really 1 would have been enough...you'll find that when you work ltc, if you've worked in one, you can work in any of them..lol..my 4th day i even had an orientee haha...it's really just learning a new facility's paperwork and getting to know your patients

whatever you do, don't be afraid to ask for help! esp with an admission or a dying patient!

good luck with your first job and keep everyone posted with how it's going!

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Specializes in LTC.

Well, I start my new job today. HR says I can choose which days I want for orientation. I am going to try to get all 3 days on my evening shift but for some reason, they really want me to train on days. I guess I'm just going to have to jump in and just do it. :)

Anyway, this is my first nursing job and I am really excited!

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Specializes in LTC.

Good luck to you today! I think the reason they want orient on days is the simple fact of there are more staff members during the day. HR, staff development, DON, etc... At least that's how it was on my orient observations. Mine was days for the CNA. But then again, so was my class. I much prefer the 11-7 shift though. LOL Less chaos IMO.

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Oh my goodness.. as a new grad I got about 10 shifts of training. Gradually shifting responsibility over to me. I was thankful for every bit of my training... but I couldn't wait to have my own med cart!

I was still scared out of my gourd to be "on my own". The med pass and routine I was ready for.. it was taking orders and paperwork that I didn't feel prepared for and the 'thinking like a nurse", but PEERS were wonderful and available for 'hey, should I call the doctor???"....

Even after almost 2 years of employment at same facility I still ask TONS of questions. It's the papertrail that frustrates me most... what to do with this paper.. where does this lab go?,,, on and on, seems to always change!

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