Is this too little?

Published

I got hired at a psychiatric facility and they said their orientation is only 4-5 days.. Is that enough? Because I personally don't think so!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/AOD.

Do you have prior experience in psych? What kind of facility?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have no experience in psych..just med surg it's a psychiatric hospital

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/AOD.

I'm sure that being in med/surg did give you some experience with psych, though you might not realize it. However, I would say that 4-5 days of orientation is exremely short.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is extremely short. Especially if they are paper charters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/AOD.

I work in a psych/AOD crisis facility, received 4 weeks of orientation, and didn't think that was enough. Though my orientation was a chaotic mess, not organized at all, and I felt like I had been thrown to the wolves. During the first few months I questioned my choice of working in psych every shift and had high levels of anxiety. I nearly quit several times. I've been there for about 6 months now, the anxiety has decreased a lot, and I find myself looking forward to going to work. I learn something new each shift and still have loads to learn to feel completely comfortable. Each day is different and I'm rarely bored. It can be stressful and frustrating but very rewarding. To the OP, you will definitely need to suck out all the info you can get in those 4-5 days of orientation and continuously research psych issues on your own time. Having med/surg experience will help you in reading clues about a persons physical problems, which you will need to pay attention to in psych. I suggest that you be responsible for your own learning and make sure to find a good way to de-stress. Venting here can help sometimes too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did they really tell you your full orientation is going to be 4-5 days? Or is that the number of days of formal classroom orientation before you start (continuing your orientation) on the floor(s)?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Classroom orientation is done. They said on the floor orientation is 4-5 days so I'm not even sure if I'm gonna go back to them because that is absolutely ridiculous no matter how much experience someone has

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

New grad and specific "specialty-change" programs aside...keep in mind that orientations are more often not meant to be Psych Nursing 101, but an introduction to the specific facility and how they do things.

That being said, 5 days is on the skimpy side IMO. I had a week of classroom training followed by 30 days orientation on the floor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/AOD.

Were you wanting to get into psych in the first place? You could always try it for a week and see how it goes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always wanted to be a psych nurse but this just let me down completely

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It does seem short. I started at a psych facility this week. The first 5 days was all new hire orientation (for nurses, receptionists, social workers, BHT's). Next week the nurses that were hired start nursing specific training. We will start 3-4 weeks of classroom training next week then several weeks of training on the unit. If you don't feel quite comfortable, ask for more time training. It couldn't hurt to ask. Worst case they say no....best case, they give you more time and you are able to continue your dream of being a psych nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion