How long was new grad orientation?

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

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.

Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Question for those new grads answering this thread: Our nursing program has a 12-week "senior practicum" after classes/clinical have finished, and is required for graduation. The student is paired with a nurse preceptor who has volunteered for that role. You start with observing, then take one or two patients, gradually working your way up to more complex patients, and a full pt load.

When a "new grad" is hired on my ward, it is AFTER this practicum is done, and they only get a few days of orientation.

Those of you who are getting several weeks or months of orientation, did you do anything like a practicum at the end of your schooling?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
...even NPO patients need insulin at times! :)

I guess i should have elaborated. The patient had a normal blood sugar something like 110-120, it was on the afternoon shift so it was the evening dose of 70/30. So not only did the pt's blood sugar go low earlier in the evening. Which she did call the doc for an order to push an amp of D50 which she did. but the pt in the morning for 0600 cbg was 34mg/dl. Scary. I understand that pt's that are npo do need insulin sometimes but the point is she does not think things through at times. that's all

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

I just started on my floor as a GN last week. There are 2 of us that already worked there as PCT's. We were told that we will get NO MORE than 4 weeks orientation.

We talked to the union steward who is completely appalled and fuming. But she looked into it and found that their hands are tied (the union) and cannot help in any way.

Myself and my friend (the other GN) are scared to death. I have had 2 days on so far, and it has been chaotic. I have 2 great preceptors, but nothing is organized. (I"m orienting for 12 hour shifts)The first day I was sitting in a room for 8 hours reading policies. Then I went out w/ my preceptor for the last part of her shift. Well, she also had a student all day, and the PCT had an orientee. So noone really knew what to do with me. I didn't know what to do, I was totoally unprepared. I thought that maybe they had a set program and would have a plan and tell me what to do. Then the second day, I was with IV therapy the first half of the day, then to return to the floor. Well, my preceptor (a different one from the first) had been flexed down and was not at work. So then I was with a different person.(who is also a great preceptor-but not one of mine) except she only had 2 hours left and she needed lunch. So we only had about 1 hour together so she couldn't show me anything. The next RN coming on is a nice person, but not a preceptor. She also didn't know what to do with me. And I don't know what they should be doing with me but I do NOT want to slip through the cracks. I only have 4 WEEKS!!!

So I have been on the floor for 2 days, only second half of each shift, and with 3 different people. And I haven't even been with my other preceptor yet.

I've only been on 2 days, so I will see if it gets better this week- because I understand that it won't be perfect- but I think the worst is the short orientation. When everyone is hearing 4 weeks, they look at me in horror and say "Oh no, that's too short, Oh no" Complete disbelief in their eyes, Makes me want to run the other way.

I guess I just needed to vent.

bbuff :scrying:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment