How long was your orientation

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi allnurses, I was wondering how long was your orientation. I will be working on a 23 hour observation unit and I believe my orientation will be about 4 to 6 weeks. I'm hired for on midnights and I will only spend two weeks on days, then I start nights. Do you guys think that's enough time. I'm a bit concerned as others seem to have anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks or more. I live in Michigan but please do not post there, as there is hardly any activity/response there. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

I'm curious, has anyone had any Trial by Fire training during orientation?

As in, they will orientate you on the floor, and just throw you in to see how you do? And then bring you back to orientation, and then throw you back in the fire?

(or something similar)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Is this for the ED?

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yeah it's for ED orientation, but I diverted the subject to CDU/Obs and not wanting to wipe butts... evidently. I think 16 weeks at our hospital as well, but I wouldn't disagree if ED orientation needs almost twice more time than that; It's hard job down there; ICU gets 6 months too.

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I can't do this anymore; can't stand doing butt wiping and nasty stuff which I did not expect to do as a baccalaureate graduate

LOL!!!

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Specializes in ER.

We are given 6 months orientation. This can be shortened for more seasoned nurses who are comfortable and doing well. All depends on how the individual is doing but we can be in orientation up to 6 months if its felt its needed. I work in a level II trauma center, very busy. Only hosp in a city of 75k.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

When I was a new grad, I had about 8 weeks of orientation. I started out on PCU, though. When I moved to the ER I had no orientation. They just threw me into the mix.

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I'm actually starting at a large teaching hospital in the ED and was told my orientation would last 12 weeks.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Our new grads get 20 weeks with a preceptor. New to the department, experienced nurses get 2-6 weeks depending on where they came from and what they need.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I don't know the exact numbers for our ER , but they are very similar to RN-Cardiac's numbers. I think we tell the new grads either 3 or 4 months, but if they need a bit longer we will deal with them individually. I came off orientation a couple weeks early, so it's an individual thing and we always place new grads on really strong teams, so they aren't going from orientation to no support overnight.

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