Long enough orientation

[WhiteRN]

I have been a nurse for 5 1/2 yrs but have not been in the hospital for 5 years. I have received an offer on a telemetry unit. The NM said orientation would probably last 8 wks. I would shadow a nurse for the first day, then I would start taking patients one by one until I was on my own. There is a lot of classes offered but they are done on your own time. When I grad. nursing school class time was part of the orientation. I plan on taking all the classes I can but I am concerned about the length of orientation. I would like to know is this the norm?

[CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP]

I started working on a tele floor as a new grad LPN and I had the equivalent of 2 months full time orientation (spread out over three months because I'm still in school). It seemed like enough for me. I had a great deal of hospital experience as a tech/monitor tech, etc., but it's different as a nurse. I think that you are probably a step ahead of where I was when I started. I think that should be ok - depending on the acuity of the patients.

CrazyPremed

[CABG patch kid, BSN, RN]

I am a new grad, about a year and a half recent experience in a student nurse position (mainly tech work), and got hired for a tele position with an 8 week orientation, so I'd say you're getting about the same orientation as a new grad. Although, 8 weeks seemed a bit short to me too (I think my jaw dropped a bit in the interview, lol) but you know what? We're going to be just fine!