4 weeks with preceptor?!?!

Nurses New Nurse

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Hey everyone - Im a new grad and just started working. The orientation with a preceptor is only 4 weeks long. Does this sound unusual to anyone? I was under the impression that my orientation would be a couple of months long. My nurse manager said that if more time was needed, you can have two extra weeks. After one week with my preceptor, I am feeling like I will definitely be needing the full 6 weeks. However I am scared that my nurse manager will be annoyed with me, and that it will just be more work for her and my preceptor. They said by the end of orientation I will have worked my way up to a full load of 6-7 patients (ortho/neuro floor). 4 weeks does not seem like enough time to be taking that many patients and feeling comfortable at the same time. Im scared that I will feel rushed and not be able to handle it. Any advice???

Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

My hospital gives a 6 month 1:1 orientation for ICU. Then you are still followed by your preceptor for 6 more months and an still have them work with you, but you can be on your own.

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I am a new grad as well and I am getting 7 weeks of orientation on a surgical unit. I have been told that if I need more that another week or two will be provided.

I should say that anyone who makes you feel bad, intentionally or not, for wanting more time is obviously not looking out for you or your patient's best interests. I'm only a couple weeks in and in no way feel ready to be own my own. I would feel that after only 4 weeks I was being thrown to the sharks! It seems really unsafe to me. You have to remember that you have your licencse and career to think about and if you don't feel comfortable, that is saying alot! Ask for more, and if they give you a hard time, find another job. I think a new employer would totally understand why you had to quit your last job and would most likely respect you for standing up for yourself.

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Just curious; I've been browsing the nursing boards as I prepare for a career change and I wonder if these "preceptor" or "orientation" periods are paid? And if so, are they paid at the same rate of pay that you would be earning once you've completed "orientation"; or is there a financial incentive once you take on patients on your own?

It seems to me that if they are paid at a decent rate of pay; why wouldn't EVERY nurse take the maximum amount of training offered? is it because they feel pressured by the hospital to get out there and "produce" or "provide" solo as a way of saving the hospital money?

Obviously, I'm very uninformed about this topic; but any insight is greatly appreciated!

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My experience and those of the other new grads in my area (different hospitals) is that the pay is no different whether you are on orientation or off. The incentive of course is for the hospital to get you off orientation as fast as possible b/c they are basically paying the costs of 2 RNs to do the work of 1. It is in the best interest of the new nurse to have as much orientation as possible to be a safe practitioner.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Just curious; I've been browsing the nursing boards as I prepare for a career change and I wonder if these "preceptor" or "orientation" periods are paid? And if so, are they paid at the same rate of pay that you would be earning once you've completed "orientation"; or is there a financial incentive once you take on patients on your own?

At my hospital, orientees are paid starting on Day 1 and at the same salary rate that they'd be getting once off orientation. Also, there is no raise or bonus, persay, given for completing orientation or for doing so ahead of schedule. Instead, each orientee gets a 3-month review at which they may be eligible for a possible raise.

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

ER Orientation 16-20 weeks. Four weeks! Yikes!

Tell them you want the full time, especially for 6-7 patients!

In NJ Orientees make full salary, preceptors in my hospital make a couple of dollars more an hour to precept.

Good luck in your new career, protect your license....if that means more time for training....so be it. If they won't do it, don't count on them to back you up during a problem.

Move on....

Maisy;)

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.
Just curious; I've been browsing the nursing boards as I prepare for a career change and I wonder if these "preceptor" or "orientation" periods are paid? And if so, are they paid at the same rate of pay that you would be earning once you've completed "orientation"; or is there a financial incentive once you take on patients on your own?

I was paid full rate while on orientation, as most or all hospitals do. The reason some nurses may not take the full amount is if they feel ready at the earlier time. I would say that would pertain for the most part to experienced nurses. At my hospital, the orientation for med/surg is 12 weeks. If you need more, which would be determined by the orientee and the unit educator with input from the preceptor(s), your orientation is extended. We had a nurse that was on orientation for about 6 months. Even after getting off orientation, she really wasn't. 'Course, that girl just wasn't right. I work at a very good facility that believes in orienting at the rate that a new nurse needs to be oriented at.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I had ten shifts of orientation.

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Wow! I thought 6 weeks wasnt enough. I'm in oncology and just graduated in May and started work in Sept. i am finding it very difficult. so much they didn't tell me and its beginning to bite in the butt.....I was told that 6 weeks was all the hospital allowed.......I asked what would happen if I wasnt ready to be on my own at the end of 6 weeks.I was told that the hospital wouldnt allow me to be on orientation indefinately.....and I still had 2 more weeks at that piint. so I was cut loose after only 6 weeks a brand bnew nurse. They told me i wouldnt be alone...they would all be there for me and to ask questions! So, I did and still do but have found that I really dont have the support that I need......I didnt have the best clinical experiences in my program. We didnt have enough clinical hours. I went to a community college. The floor is very busy and the patients are very very sick........the nurses are all busy and some are nicer than others.....it stinks all the way around. I'm looking into leaving for another floor.........my environment is somewhat hostile......they talk out both sides of their mouths......they tellyou one thing but do another. 4 weeks is NOT enough!!!!!!!!!! Take as long as you can! When I was hired I told them I lacked clinical skills. I was assured it was ok, i would learn them on the job and that they were looking for people that were kind, caring, compasssionate and thats something that cant be taught, skills can........Yet they get frustrated or aggrivated when I ask the same thing more than once or ask for help with a procedure if its something Ive done before yet dont feel quite comfortable with..........Good luck to you! Ive been on my own almost 6 weeks and dont feel comfortable yet. i'm told it takes 6 months to a year before you feel comfortable.......

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

I had an externship that was 12 weeks on Oncology and that wasn't enough! I am amazed you are surviving. Those people are so sick and complex!

If you are committed to staying, surround yourself with good people. I am not sure I could do it. Good luck to you.

Maisy;)

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

Wow where i work as a new grad you get one week orientation in each area! One week then a full patient load. Four weeks sounds like a long time to me....

we do a graduate nurse program like most hospitals down under. It's not really orientation though just extra support.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
Wow! I thought 6 weeks wasnt enough. I'm in oncology and just graduated in May and started work in Sept. i am finding it very difficult. so much they didn't tell me and its beginning to bite in the butt.....I was told that 6 weeks was all the hospital allowed.......I asked what would happen if I wasnt ready to be on my own at the end of 6 weeks.I was told that the hospital wouldnt allow me to be on orientation indefinately.....and I still had 2 more weeks at that piint. so I was cut loose after only 6 weeks a brand bnew nurse. They told me i wouldnt be alone...they would all be there for me and to ask questions! So, I did and still do but have found that I really dont have the support that I need......I didnt have the best clinical experiences in my program. We didnt have enough clinical hours. I went to a community college. The floor is very busy and the patients are very very sick........the nurses are all busy and some are nicer than others.....it stinks all the way around. I'm looking into leaving for another floor.........my environment is somewhat hostile......they talk out both sides of their mouths......they tellyou one thing but do another. 4 weeks is NOT enough!!!!!!!!!! Take as long as you can! When I was hired I told them I lacked clinical skills. I was assured it was ok, i would learn them on the job and that they were looking for people that were kind, caring, compasssionate and thats something that cant be taught, skills can........Yet they get frustrated or aggrivated when I ask the same thing more than once or ask for help with a procedure if its something Ive done before yet dont feel quite comfortable with..........Good luck to you! Ive been on my own almost 6 weeks and dont feel comfortable yet. i'm told it takes 6 months to a year before you feel comfortable.......

BIG FAT DITTO HERE!!!!

Good luck to you being on your own. I don' t know when that will happen for me. They finally wrote out my "new orient schedule" but it includes reviews w/ my preceptor each night. Yeah right! This is the 2nd week, she's fine during shift, but never avail to "review" the orient schedule and help me where i'm weak. Only gives me, "I showed you where to find that last week, why are you asking?"

And this is the good preceptor!!

*weep*

Chloe:o

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