Full time or part time orientation

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2006

I see you posted this in the OR forum. I've never worked in the OR, but my understanding, for most specialties, is that you will need to orient 5 days a week at first.

General hospital orientations are usually 8 hour days (the one where you are seated with everyone- nurses and non-nurses alike). Then, depending on the institution, you'll go to the nursing orientation, with nurses going to all areas. The are basically 8 hour days, because these are the hours the administrators and educators work. Then, you'll go to your unit, and that will depend on the way the unit runs.

The idea behind 5 days a week on the unit is to get you up-to-snuff quicker. Constant exposure to the same thing (every day- rather than 3 days) is supposed to help you get the hang of it quicker. Does it stink?? Sure does, esp. if you have scheduling conflicts, kids, or live far.

As far as PT, they usually frown upon it. Unless, you are completely experienced in that field. Are you a new grad, or just switching specialties??

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 13, 2006

Where i work, full time status is required for 2 years (for the OR that is). But ALSO, our full-time is considered 32 hours.

Since different facilities do things different ways, might want to call and check with the place you are thinking of applying at, or at least ask at the interview.

Pitbullgirl · Mar 13, 2006

If you are interviewing for an OR orientation/internship, I would think you have to be there the same days/hours as everyone else in your orientation. For example, I start an OR internship tomorrow, and there are 10 of us in the group. We will be going 7a-3p for the 6-month internship, and then we have some different options on shifts after that time.

I don't see how the OR could (or would want to) change the orientation for one person, or have everybody going at different hours. Doesn't make sense. You would be gone an entire day that everyone else would be there. You'd be staying longer on the other days when the rest of the group is there. See what I mean?

It all depends on how much you want to be in the OR (assuming that's why you posted here). Six months or so isn't that long to work 5 days a week.

I've worked in other fields before going to nursing school, and I can tell you that for 90% of the population, 5 days a week is the norm. Somehow, people deal with it. Especially for a temporary thing like an orientation.