How many days of orientation?

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Hi all! I was just curious how many days of orientation is normal for a fairly new nurse in ltc? I am getting 3 to 5 days. Doesn't feel like enough to me.

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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

3-5 days is pretty normal for LTC. Not bad if you are experienced, you only have to learn the routine of that facility. If you are a new grad, it is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool. Sometimes, if you ask the DON, they will allow a longer orientation period like a couple of weeks or maybe even a month. Don't think you'll ever get the orientations like new grads in acute care hospitals of 6 months.

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Hi all! I was just curious how many days of orientation is normal for a fairly new nurse in ltc? I am getting 3 to 5 days. Doesn't feel like enough to me.

I had a grand total of 8 days (asked for a extra 2 for paper work learning) but I was a CNA in that facilty on the floor iam on for about a year.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

When I was a new grad LPN in 2006, I received one 8-hour shift worth of orientation before being cut loose to work on my own. Although I was promised 3 days, the facility was too short-staffed to fulfill that promise.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

My facility gives every nurse 10 days.

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I think im at 13 "training" days, though it IS my first RN job. 3 days were "shadowing" i wasn't allowed to do anything just observe, which was sorta useless, as you do learn almost everything best by doing it yourself. Then three of those nights we had a call off on the sub acute hall, we had two experienced RN's and then me. Was hell. I'm asking for more orientation, and if i don't feel comfortable or they won't allow me them, what then? If we don't feel safe and make a mistake it's our license at risk...

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Hi all! I was just curious how many days of orientation is normal for a fairly new nurse in ltc? I am getting 3 to 5 days. Doesn't feel like enough to me.

I'm a new grad RN and 3-5 days doesn't sound that great to me either. I've had almost a month of orientation at a SNF on a subacute foor. I just got signed off on treatments and medications last week and I've been on a med cart with a staff nurse shadowing me since Monday. I think that I'll have another two weeks maybe on a med cart with the nurse shadowing me before I'm set free. Good luck =)

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Hi all! Thanks for the input! I'll update: today is day 4. Day 1 I pretty much shadowed. Day 2 I did partial med pass and some treatments, charting etc. Day 3 I was the "nurse" and my orienter was there if I needed her but I did all med passes, treatments, charting, etc. Annnnd I got out on time. I def feel more comfortable with the routine. A lot of it was putting names with faces, getting to know he residents and also the med cart. 2 more days then Monday I fly on my own!

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I think I was given 13, but I am asking for more, because I feel uncomfortable taking the floor by myself

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Just an FYI. Most of the acute care orientations I'm aware of are 6 to 10 weeks for new grads. Haven't heard of any longer than 3 months. I think the push is on to keep cutting back on orientation time.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice.

I feel very lucky then. As a new grad, I got 6 weeks of orientation, though I must say I felt a lot more confident after I was on my own and able to feel out my own routine.

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I have been an RN for 19 years in home health and in LTC. I was just hired last week at a LTC facility after relocating to the area. I am what the administration calles the "seasoned nurse" who was just hired. I have had 2 days on the floor working 7-3 , then 3 more next week and I'm on 3-11 and off orientation on Friday. The first day I was on the floor the unit manager who was training me, ran off to celebrate her birthday with staff and family, leaving me with unknown "to me" patients. Then also leaving several times to handle things at the nurses station or take several smoke breaks. The second day she left me on my own for 4 hours and when she found I was drowning I was firmly told I wasted to much time and now I'm basically out of compliance with my med times. She then "rescued" me and huffed when pouring up meds to catch me up. I am looking forward to being a great 3-11 staff nurse here and will never "orient" someone like this. To answer your question tho, 5 days on the floor here. Hope you have a far better experience. :nurse:

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