orientation

Diana in Sweden · Apr 25, 2003

I was wondering how your system works, what exactly is orientation? are you paid during this period? are you paid in full ? do you have a mentor ?

when I graduated first time around as a pysch nurse I had a few weeks orientation ..... with pay ... I was shown the layout of the ward and was really left to my own devices pretty much right away, we split the wards (LTC) between us and she said to give her a yell if I needed help ..

from then on when I changed positions I was offered one day at most to get to know the layout.

I wonder how things work in other countries

thanks for your time

:kiss

yannadey, LPN · Apr 25, 2003

Here in the good old USA I also work LTC started my career as a nurse in New York had 5 days oriention 2 days of videos & paperwork 3 days on the floor with pay, moved to Maryland had 3 days orientation with pay1 day paperwork 2 on the floor because of my experience new graduates 1-2 weeks depending on facility now I'm in Virginia had 3 days of paperwork & computer orientation & 3 days on floor all the time getting paid while being oriented.:)

yannadey, LPN · Apr 25, 2003

Here in the good old USA I also work LTC started my career as a nurse in New York had 5 days oriention 2 days of videos & paperwork 3 days on the floor with pay, moved to Maryland had 3 days orientation with pay1 day paperwork 2 on the floor because of my experience new graduates 1-2 weeks depending on facility now I'm in Virginia had 3 days of paperwork & computer orientation & 3 days on floor all the time getting paid while being oriented.:)

LTCNursemidwest · Apr 25, 2003

My facility has three wings two days on each wing unless your a new grad.

LTCNursemidwest · Apr 25, 2003

My facility has three wings two days on each wing unless your a new grad.

sjoe · Apr 26, 2003

Yes, you have to be paid during orientation. Employers have no choice in the matter. Every facility can design its own orientation program.

My most recent one involved working in every RN position in the place for at least a day each, to become familiar with these areas and how they intereact with the system as a whole, as well as to explore enough to see where I wanted to work longer-term. After a few months, there is a more formal, classroom-oriented orientation for employees who now have better questions than they would have had initially and who are more likely to pay attention to items that are truly useful.

Other place have been "sink-or-swim."

This subject is certainly one to be discussed during employment interviews.

sjoe · Apr 26, 2003

Yes, you have to be paid during orientation. Employers have no choice in the matter. Every facility can design its own orientation program.

My most recent one involved working in every RN position in the place for at least a day each, to become familiar with these areas and how they intereact with the system as a whole, as well as to explore enough to see where I wanted to work longer-term. After a few months, there is a more formal, classroom-oriented orientation for employees who now have better questions than they would have had initially and who are more likely to pay attention to items that are truly useful.

Other place have been "sink-or-swim."

This subject is certainly one to be discussed during employment interviews.

Diana in Sweden · May 9, 2003

thank you everyone for the information

cleared it up for me very well

sounds like it not that different than here really

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 9, 2003

I coordinate the graduate nurse program here. It lasts 9 weeks for critical care nurses and 6 wks for all others. There is a combo classroom and on-the-floor experience ALWAYS with a preceptor. New nurse gets paid for every hour worked. Preceptor gets extra pay for their work with new nurse. We follow up in one year with critical thinking, etc. courses and in 2 yr with career planning, clinical ladder, committees, charge nurse etc. We also have nurse externs (last year nursing students) who get paid more than an aide but less than a licensed nurse. They learn on the job and usually only work 1-2 days a week, less if tests are going on at school. Currently have about 60 externs and 40 new grads. Both are expensive programs but necessary to recruit and retain good nurses.