I just applied last week to several hospitals in the area. I would like to have some idea what people are recieving for orientation times in the different areas of nursing. I have applied for several different areas since I have no one area that I love over the other.
1. Area of Nursing:
2. Orientation time for that area:
3. Bonus question: Nurse/pt ratio on the floor:
Thank you for your answers. Hopefully I will have some interviews soon and can start answering those questions myself.
1) Area: Neurology/NCCU (both units are housed on the same floor, so we staff both)
2) Orientation: 6-8 weeks for the neuro floor, then after several months on the floor, another 12 weeks of so to get oriented to the critical care side of things (ACLS, Critical care courses included)
3) Ratio: 1:5-6 for the floor, 1:2-3 for the NCCU (on nights)
2. Orientation time for that area: 2 wks classes, about 1.5 months for level II and the same for level III..with a gap in between where you just focus on level II.
3. Bonus question: Nurse/pt ratio on the floor: 3-4 at this particular NICU
this makes me smile as my first shift as a new grad was to cover sick leave in the ED on a Saturday night!! Started 2 weeks early so got 2 days of orientation when I was due to start - worked for 2 weeks then got 2 days of orientation lol!! small ED physically but we saw about 120 pt a day (more on a monday) and had 5 nurses incld the incharge!!
86toronado, BSN, RN
1 Article; 528 Posts
1) Area: Neurology/NCCU (both units are housed on the same floor, so we staff both)
2) Orientation: 6-8 weeks for the neuro floor, then after several months on the floor, another 12 weeks of so to get oriented to the critical care side of things (ACLS, Critical care courses included)
3) Ratio: 1:5-6 for the floor, 1:2-3 for the NCCU (on nights)