How long are the average new RN orientations?

Good Ole LTC orientations! I got a 3 day oreintation and they threw me on a hall that I didn't orientate on and I had to fend for myself. It was really bad in the beginning but I learned some shortcuts and it got better.

3 days is not adequate but that what alot of them give you. Some have more compassion and give 2 weeks but those are private pay facilities. It will take you a while to learn the patients and the pills but you should be okay with 20 patients. I had 30! Just take your time and your speed will increase over time. It took me about 2 months to feel adequate.

I started on a SNF unit right out of school with no prior orientation in health care. I was paired with another nurse for three weeks, then cut loose on a 21-bed unit with two aides. The workload included PICCs, IVs, feeding tubes, CPM machines, all manner of dressing changes -- anything and everything you would expect to see on a regular med-surg unit. There was no way three nights would have been adequate. Three weeks was barely enough.

No.

From previous posters, it sounds like this is typical, but to answer your question - absolutely not. I was oriented for 12 weeks at my first RN job and I still felt lost at times. I can't imagine only getting 3 days!!

I'm doing LTC and this week would be my 5th. I think my orientation is scheduled for 12 weeks knowing that I'm a foreign trained nurse that has a L&D work experience. Totally opposite to LTC. I'm still getting the hang of things, though there's no day that I considered quitting my present job. Everything takes time. Treat everyday as a new learning day, avoid shortcuts and practice time management at all times.

Thank you all so very much!!! I had my first solo shift tonight complete with a hospice patient on the decline, a new admit, and someone with a blood pressure of 222/86. All in all though it went well and I got everything done. Thanks for the advice, you all gave me the courage to keep working at it! :redpinkhe

Thank you all so very much!!! I had my first solo shift tonight complete with a hospice patient on the decline, a new admit, and someone with a blood pressure of 222/86. All in all though it went well and I got everything done. Thanks for the advice, you all gave me the courage to keep working at it! :redpinkhe

Glad it worked out. 22 patients is a very doable assignment.Keep at it and you will learn the med pass and be able to do it with your eyes closed. LOL!!!

I got 3 days (well, nights) on psych as a new grad. I left there after a year to work med/surg, and got 2 weeks of orientation for that.

I recently graduated and got a job on a medical foor, they gave me 12 weeks orientation. I also work per diem at a LTC care facility where I recieved 2 weeks of orientation. Funny thing I feel much more confident at the LTC facility where I recieved less orientation and have way more patients and autonomy. There is just so much to know on a medical floor everyday I have a patient with something I ve never encountered before. Even though I am off orientation now I ask a million questions of my peers ...no one seems to mind... yet:)!

I work in the ED, my orientation was 12 weeks. Some of my other new grad friends only had 6 or 8 on medsurg and tele floors. My ICU friends have at least 12 as well.

Anglkses, I couldn't find a way to pm you but I was wondering if you regret getting your RN through an entry level MSN program? I am thinking of doing that but wonder if anyone would hire or respect a RN-MSN who has little clinical experience?

How hard was the program and do you regret it? Do you think you should have gone another path to get your RN?