How long was new grad orientation?

Lisbeth · Apr 26, 2005

When I was a new grad in med-surg, I our hospital had a ten week orientation program. Currently, the program is six to ten weeks, depending on your experience (some RNs were LVNs first). The program is run by the education department of the hospital, and the new grads are buddied with an RN who has gone through a training program. You progress from observing, doing a floor scavenger hunt, hospital tour, etc to gradually taking on all of the patients that are assigned to your nurse buddy. Eventually, you take on more responsibility, with your nurse buddy always there as a resource and guide. The new grad is not considered as part of the staffing ratio. On our floor, we have 5 or 6 patients, so the new grad is expected to start with one patient and gradually add at least one patient per week, so there is an opportunity to practice time management, skills, etc with a realistic assignment.

Good Luck to you, it is so exciting to be starting out. You picked a great career! :yeah:

DUCKGIRL · Apr 26, 2005

Thanks so much for the info!!

When I was a new grad in med-surg, I our hospital had a ten week orientation program. Currently, the program is six to ten weeks, depending on your experience (some RNs were LVNs first). The program is run by the education department of the hospital, and the new grads are buddied with an RN who has gone through a training program. You progress from observing, doing a floor scavenger hunt, hospital tour, etc to gradually taking on all of the patients that are assigned to your nurse buddy. Eventually, you take on more responsibility, with your nurse buddy always there as a resource and guide. The new grad is not considered as part of the staffing ratio. On our floor, we have 5 or 6 patients, so the new grad is expected to start with one patient and gradually add at least one patient per week, so there is an opportunity to practice time management, skills, etc with a realistic assignment.
Good Luck to you, it is so exciting to be starting out. You picked a great career!

ttaraRN · Apr 27, 2005

Hi duck, my new-grad orientation began in july of last summer and ended halloween weekend. I had a wonderful orientation as well as a wonderful preceptor!! I started with about 3 patients if I remember correctly. My preceptor was always a wonderful resource to me, and my co-workers continue to be a wonderful resource. I'm never afraid to ask, "why," or "what should I do," or "HELP!!" A good work environment is essential to a successful start in nursing. :nurse: Good luck!

DUCKGIRL · Apr 27, 2005

This helps me so much ! Thanks!

Hi duck, my new-grad orientation began in july of last summer and ended halloween weekend. I had a wonderful orientation as well as a wonderful preceptor!! I started with about 3 patients if I remember correctly. My preceptor was always a wonderful resource to me, and my co-workers continue to be a wonderful resource. I'm never afraid to ask, "why," or "what should I do," or "HELP!!" A good work environment is essential to a successful start in nursing. Good luck!

ErinRNBSN · Apr 27, 2005

Just wondering how long orientation lasted for all the new grads out there..how many patients did you take at first? did you always have a resource for assistance? Just trying to see if I am ahead or behind the pack..thanks for your response.

Well i am not a new grad anymore. I have been a nurse for a year and half but i just switched to critical care and i had a 4 month orientation and that was just to handle 2 patients. all i have to say is stay in orientation as long as it takes for you to be comfortable. good luck!

blackIrish · May 19, 2005

Well now I am a little nervous.

I am starting June 1st (GN) and we have 6 weeks. I have heard that this manager tries to kick us off orientation a few weeks earlier. When I asked her directly if we feel we need more time, her response was "we have found you (GN's) just need a little push out the door and onto the floor."

BTW, our staffing is 6:1 (7-3,3-11) and 8-9:1 (11-7-my shift)

How am I going to take care of 9 pts. when I am brand new? :crying2:

Brandy

RNAnna · May 19, 2005

Hi all,

I am currently in orientation. At my facility, orientation is geared to the individual and lasts as long as it lasts. Some people need more time to master certain skills, and others are just natural sponges. I've been orienting on all three shifts, so my orientaion has been a little longer than most. I also only work part time, so my orientation is different than others. They are almost ready to cut the ambilical cord and set me free.

I started out the first day just following my preceptor and getting familiar with where things are, and how the "routine" was (if you can ever have a routine). Then, it was really up to me and how comfortable I felt taking clients. I started with two. And, in a very rural facility where we do everything, it depended on what dx were on the floor that day. If there were things that I didn't feel comfortable with, my preceptor and I would act as a team with that client so that I could get a feel for how to care for that particular client.

There will be questions for a long time after I am no longer on orientation. But now, I know how to ask the questions, who to ask the questions, and when to ask them. There is so much that they don't teach you in school, so I know that every day I am on the job, I will be learning something new. Each day is a good day to learn! I hope you learn a lot :)

Anna

blue chips · May 19, 2005

6 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angryfire

angie1982 · May 19, 2005

my orientation was six to eight weeks. Eight if you were having trouble catching on. However mine lasted a little longer b/c i did not pass my boards the first time around. I stayed as a gn on midnights and took four pt's total patient care. I worked much like an lpn. I was not able to sign my orders or pass meds, but i did everything else however. Except the obvious things only licensed nurses can do such as hang blood. I started out with three pt's on my own in one week until my preceptor noticed that I was bored and pretty much following her around b/c my patients were all taken care of. So I took more and more pt's with her following me around. I once took eight pt's on days with my preceptor covering and watching me of course. I worked as a waitress previously so running around and organization, time management was never a problem for me. I think most orientation programs should be more individual focused. One Rn on my unit was an Rn when she started orientation not a gn like me and she spent six weeks when she probably needed another six weeks. She just did not seem to catch on, and honestly she still does not. I know that med surg is not for everyone and that just might be the case with her, b/c she is very intelligent to talk to. She just does dumb things like giving pt's insulin when they are NPO.

rnmi2004 · May 26, 2005

...even NPO patients need insulin at times! :)

I am almost at the end of my orientation. We get 4 to 5 months as a new grad on various units, then when I decide on my final unit I have another 2+ weeks orientation. It has been wonderful for my confidence level--I now feel confident that at least when I'm on my own, I know my resource people to turn to on busy nights.

Gator,SN · May 26, 2005

I went straight into ICU/CCU and my orientation was 12 months. My first preceptor thought that it was "unfortunate" that I missed out on M/S experience so she put me in PCU for the first 4 weeks. I had 6 pts each day and and a massive headache at the end of the first week. After a month of this, I felt pretty cocky so went into the ICU. What an eye opener. I was so excited to have pts with vents and a-lines and cvp readings.... At the 6 month point I was basically on my own but with a safety net (her) for new procedures, diseases and other new RN mishaps.(one time, someone plugged the code cart in and as I was running in the room, I tripped over the cord and landed on my rear. The patient made it, but my ego was quite bruised for some time! The laughing of my peers did not help!) At the end of the first year, I had cried a lot, made a few minor med errors, wrote myself up, run my first codes and had a few pts die. I had made some friends and ruffled a few feathers. Many of my clasmates from school thought that my orientation was too long but I was glad for it most of the time. My first day solo, I swear I could actually feel the weight of my license on my shoulders but since I had ample time to get ready, I did OK. I feel bad for nurses who do not get enough orientation time because it really does make all the difference. Two years into this and I can't imagine doing anything else.