ER Orientation

In my organization, orientation is not unit-specific. New grad nurses get 480 hours of orientation. Experienced nurses (regardless of the area they came from) get 240 hours. PRNs/weekenders get 120 hours. Having said that, orientation can be extended for a short time if the nurse doesn't feel comfortable in the role, but if the orientation gets to be too long (more than a few weeks beyond expected), then they may have to look at working somewhere else.

Your hospital sounds similar to mine. My new grad RN program allows for 12 weeks of orientation in the ER. One day of classroom time and two 12-hr shifts every week.

As a seasoned nurse transferring from one ER to another within the same corporation, I got 6 weeks. I don't about the others.

My system has a residency program for new grads that is 18 weeks long with 3 different preceptors and classroom time, we were using the Versent program, but then we created our own.

For a experienced nurse transitioning to a new specialty it is around 8 wks.

Experienced nurse in same specialty it is tailored to meet their learning needs and can be as short as 6 shifts or up to 8 wks.

For new grad RNs, 13 weeks- one week general orientation and the rest clinicals. For experienced RNs transitioning from one specialty to ER, not less than 6 weeks, could be shorter if they are that good. And for those experienced ER RNs from another facility,also not less than 6 weeks , probably less if they are good and also familiar with EMR charting. My own orientation was 6 weeks and I was asked to be let loose at 4 weeks.

I have seen up to 3 months for newbie nurses and I have received as little as three shifts.