Do ageny nurses get any kind of orientation

caliotter3 · Dec 11, 2010

I observed first hand how agency nurses were treated at a place where I once worked. I am ashamed that some of my co-workers were so nasty. The agency nurses never worked more than a couple of shifts and I suppose I knew why. Nobody deserved to be treated like that. There was little attempt to be helpful and they were definitely given the worst assignments with the worst CNAs to get the job done. I went out of my way to help to the best of my ability, but I could only do so much with my own assignment to worry about.

litepath2 · Dec 23, 2010

Do you get any kind of orientation when you go to a floor as an agency nurse? My biggest fear is to not know where everything is and needing more help then a regular staff nurse on that floor. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

You might as well get over that unless you have a photographic memory!

You get some orientation, but how in the heck can you begin to remember all that you encounter unless you encounter it more than a few times?

#1 They are darned lucky to have you...it certainly beats workin short!

#2. Even reg staff have to ask where stuff is sometimes!

Don't worry over having to ask....it is always a lot tougher when you first arrive than when you've been there awhile! Normal!

So get over that fear and find another one with more veracity...

indynurse '87 · Dec 23, 2010

Back in the early 90's I worked agency. I loved it! Some of the hospitals did have orientation, you were required to arrive 2 hours early of your first shift at that facility, and a short orientation was given on the floor you were to work. At LTC facilities the would have a packet you were required to read and sign off on that you understood the info.

There were MANY times at the LTC facilities I would arrive and the nurse I was relieving would say "here is your hall, this is your cart, here are your keys, here is the 24 hour report sheet, if you have any questions the aides can help you" and attempt to leave! I would have to make them sit down and give me a run through on the report sheet and count the narcotics!

Even though there were times it was sink or swim, I still loved it. I was sent to places that afforded me the opportunity to get expierince I would have never gotten by being staff nurse in one place.

oahugirl · Dec 26, 2010

You don't get much of an orientation. I always arrived 30 min early to get familiar with the settings and make sure I had all the passwords/codes I needed. Attitude is everything. If you are energetic and willing to help out other staff you will be fine.

I also helped the medics/techs stock so that I could learn where everything was, the medics/techs appreciated that, too. I only asked them for help if I truly needed it. I can change an adult diaper, I'm not above that. Usually the medics/techs appreciate a nurse that's not working them to death and go out of their way to help you. And when you are in a new place, you need them on your side!

If the hosp does computer charting, they usually make you attend a class to become familiar with it. You'll still need to ask questions once you get to the unit. I just carried a notepad wherever I went.

I have worked in places that have given me a 20 min orientation and some that gave me half a shift. The key is to get in good with 2 or 3 hospitals. If they like you, they start requesting you and you only need 2 or 3 hospitals. I remember being called so much by 1 hospital that I had to keep turning down other offers and ended up working 2-3 shifts a week for them.