Is it normal to train someone after being on the floor for 4 days?

smartnurse1982 · Mar 22, 2014

Yes!

I was an agency nurse in at one facility and i trained someone!

Talk about awkward.

I was there for 5 days,and not on the same floor.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 22, 2014

It wouldn't happen in my facility. Of course in my facility you'd have at least 4 weeks of orientation. I suppose you could look at it this way: You're doing such a spectacular job, your bosses want everyone to be like you?

amoLucia · Mar 23, 2014

I read the posts here about the staff who receive inadequate time for orientation and I shake my head. Those facilities must not be in my neck of the woods because I've freq had orientations where I would have to go to admin and ask to be cut loose. My biggest need for a new position is learning their specific paperwork. But I know to ask my co-workers, supervisor, or next shift super to check me out.

I know what to do for a fall, an expiration, serious change of status, etc. What I need to know is where do I get a #22 GT replacement fast. I want to know thoroughly what's in the IV box and the E box. I usually wind up getting my own MD/provider phone list and that of admin. Let me check out the oxygen system and suction system too. All that might take me a week or so.

Just don't stick me on the med cart exclusively. Let me follow with someone a couple of days. I know how to pass meds - all too often the 'preceptor' pushes off the cart. It is important but not the be all - end all. I want to know how to order with the pharmacy. I need to know the lab process and where the careplans are.

I guess that's what happens when you've been around for millennia.

pinkiepinkPN · Mar 23, 2014

I recently went from 5 years of med surg to being an LTC nurse working on a skilled floor. I was told that I would have 5 DAYS of orientation which turned out to be 3. I quickly went on this site and found that that is not uncommon (I had 6 wk of orientation for med surg) I was okay with that because it turns out that I was able to orientate rather quickly to LTC way of nursing. So I've been independent on the floor for 4 days and now I'm training someone??? That is not fair! I am still trying to learn all of the residents' names and how they take their meds and now I'm training someone. It this normal?

I was trained by someone who had been working there only a couple of weeks AND was a brand new nurse just like me.

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amoLucia · Mar 24, 2014

Often, I've been places where newbies have been paired with other more 'senior' newbies. Not a good idea. But if one thing were to come out of it, I do see a freq positive - both newbies tend to become resources for one another, for clinical things and emotional support. And it seems to work out for them.

You share what knowledge you have.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 24, 2014

Sounds too short of a time to me; in my experience, NOT normal.

systoly · Mar 25, 2014

Yes!
I was an agency nurse in at one facility and i trained someone!
Talk about awkward.
I was there for 5 days,and not on the same floor.

yeah, but you're a smart nurse

systoly · Mar 25, 2014

it is not normal

it may not be uncommon, but it'll never be normal

unless you're training someone in nursing procedures, rather

than facility policies and protocols

other than that it is a testimony of poor leadership

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2014

Not normal but I can believe it.