How much orientation?

I never worked ltc as a nurse but wow, that's ridiculous. I wouldn't be able to memorize 27 faces after two days.

As a LVN-turned-RN with 15+ years of experience (but no nursing home), I got a whopping 6 shifts of "orientation".

One to fill out paperwork and do online modules. Then 2 with day shift and 3 on night shift. Different nurses, different days, different units, different routines. It sucked .

It took a good month before I knew everyone really well.

I'm sure they need staff. It's a shame that the orienting staff (who should appreciate a position being filled) are less than welcoming...

On my first day at the facility and as a nurse, the nurse who was suppose to train me called in sick. So, they told me to take the cart and do the best I could. It went about as well as expected: complete train wreck.

It got better. Nursing homes are notorious for having minimal orientation, but you'll be fine in a couple weeks and find your groove. Hang in there!

. Really? They have no means of identification besides some poor photos with their MARs. 27 people that are completely new to me, plus a new routine and charting. Plus there has been no real orientation to the charting. Am I overreacting?

I just feel stupid.

PLEASE do not feel stupid, you are being safe and saving the facility from a huge nightmare, if you gave residents the wrong medication. It will get better, I promise you that.

I got 4 shifts as an LVN I think. And within a couple months I was training other nurses. 38 patients a shift. Unsafe.

It took me a couple weeks to learn all the patients names. I had to rely on CNAs. Nightmare of a job really.

Where I work in NS we get 4 shifts but can ask for more and will usually get it. LPN responsible for 24 residents and RN 12 but this is on days. RN will always assist LPN if required and thankfully our resident photos are good and replaced every 6 months

As a brand new nurse I got 3 shifts. The most days of orientation that I ever had was 10 shifts and the fewest was 0.5 shifts.

LTC is all over the place with orientation. Most places just really want that license attached to a pulse on the floor.

I'd personally request 2 non-clinical days where you can orient yourself to facility policies, equipment, resident charts, look up the common medications you aren't familiar with (since that's just not feasible in real time with 27 residents), etc. Then, even if you get a crappy clinical orientation, you can probably figure out the resident care aspects of the job pretty quickly with your 10 years of acute care experience.

If they'd begrudge you 2 non-clinical shifts to familiarize yourself with the facility, its resources and residents, I'd be leery of the job in general.

LTCs are notoriously bad at orienting nurses, but since it's your license and people's safety on the line, I say challenge the system.