how long is enough orientation for icu

[<3ingRN]

I am a wound care nurse who is making a transition to burn/wound care icu. Now, I do have some medsurge experience but never worked in icu. How long do you think is enough training or orientation for a nurse like me who is making a big transition. I have a meeting with director of icu next week and iv just kind of wanted to have idea before we speak. Any input is appreciated.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

In my ICU, usually 6-8 weeks for someone that is NOT a new grad and has some experience. New grads get 12 weeks.

Good luck

[Larry3373]

My nurse manager offered me 10 week orientation at a 24 bed SICU that takes hearts.

[Trauma_drama14, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

My NM told me 6 weeks orientation on the SICU when I started three weeks ago (we're mainly trauma and the hospital is a level-one trauma center) and I had one year on a medsurg floor. Once I started though, the educator told me I get 10 weeks (yay!) and more if needed. My husband just started on the cicu and even though he has four years on telemetry and a couple months of cvicu training, he gets 12 weeks of training.

[bloatedputti, MSN, RN]

This depends on many factors. what is your experience? who is your preceptor? do they have the foundational tools to teach? manuals, protocols, etc. Id say 6 weeks is nice. Study like crazy and have pocket references.

[Greenclip]

Our orientation for burn is 16 weeks, the only exception would be for an experienced burn nurse. Med-surg experience would not make orientation shorter.

[Studentnurse365]

I had 4 months in my MICU

[freyarn]

I started on a CVICU as a new grad and had 12 weeks of orientation. For experienced nurses we usually have 6-8 weeks orientation. Things that require extra training - CRRT, open hearts, etc. Are not given to newer ICU nurses in general. Usually after 1-2 years experience as an ICU nurse, we are then trained those skills.