How much orientation?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I'm hoping that you nurses familiar with LTC can give me some advice. After working in a hospital for 10 years I have recently started a new job in a LTC facility. I will be responsible for 27 residents. How much orientation should I expect? I'm feeling very overwhelmed. Yesterday I did an 8 hour shift and another today, both times with the same nurse. Today she was complaining that I was still having to ask who the residents were. 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.

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

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yeah coming from the hospital not having any way to really identify anyone kind of makes me uncomfortable.

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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.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yeah I figure it will just take time. I hope I don't get sacked before that.

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Specializes in school nurse.

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...

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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!

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. 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.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

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.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

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

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to LTC forum

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Specializes in LTC.

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.

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