lpn orientation

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 22, 2007

My very first nursing job out of school was at a small, understaffed nursing home. My orientation lasted 8 hours before I was turned loose to work on my own. The orientation was intended to be 3 days long, but my trainer went home sick at the beginning of the second day, so I had to work the shift alone.

To answer your question, I had an 8 hour orientation at my first nursing job. My second nursing job came with a 16-hour orientation. I have never had a true orientation that lasted longer than 3 days.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 24, 2007

I had two orientations at my job; the first 6 weeks was in med-surg (as a formality), the second was 6 weeks in the clinic where I am now working. Didn't think much of either one, because, basically, I am still feeling around.

BigB · May 24, 2007

2 weeks or so as a new grad...don't take anything less..its not worth losing your new license.

pn2rn08 · Jun 10, 2007

Well my first job as a new grad was at a SNF as well & the orientation was rather short & a mess. I was bounced around from unit 2 to 3 without any clear direction for the first four days & trying to orient with a nurse that had only been there a week herself. Finally by the end of the week a nurse on unit 3 took me in under her wing. She did this because they had given her such a poor orientation herself & she didn't want it to be done to someone else. Although I appreciated this I ended up leaving 5 months later due to many issues that arose from the adminstration & felt my license was at risk.

My second job again at a SNF gives all the new employees two weeks of orientation. One week is paperwork, policies, HR inservice, & a few other nursing inservices. The second week is on the floor orientation. After that if you feel ready then you go solo, however if you need more time they are more than willing to schedule it. I primarily work 3-11 however since I'm picking up a few day shifts they are going to let me orient one or two days prior to going solo on days. In my interview the DNS told me that if she puts the time & money into the proper training then hopefully the retention rate wil be greater. Seeing how everyone including the CNA's have been there 7 yrs plus I think the two week orientation is working out just great.

evaruth · Jun 10, 2007

Well my first job as a new grad was at a SNF as well & the orientation was rather short & a mess. I was bounced around from unit 2 to 3 without any clear direction for the first four days & trying to orient with a nurse that had only been there a week herself. Finally by the end of the week a nurse on unit 3 took me in under her wing. She did this because they had given her such a poor orientation herself & she didn't want it to be done to someone else. Although I appreciated this I ended up leaving 5 months later due to many issues that arose from the adminstration & felt my license was at risk.
My second job again at a SNF gives all the new employees two weeks of orientation. One week is paperwork, policies, HR inservice, & a few other nursing inservices. The second week is on the floor orientation. After that if you feel ready then you go solo, however if you need more time they are more than willing to schedule it. I primarily work 3-11 however since I'm picking up a few day shifts they are going to let me orient one or two days prior to going solo on days. In my interview the DNS told me that if she puts the time & money into the proper training then hopefully the retention rate wil be greater. Seeing how everyone including the CNA's have been there 7 yrs plus I think the two week orientation is working out just great.

My orientation was about 1 1/2 weeks. The orientation was good but you still have alot to learn on you're own, thats where I think you get your best experiance. :idea:

**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · Jun 12, 2007

I was lucky in my SNF. They gave me 5 weeks full-time with the same nurse (she was excellent). 4 weeks day shift, 1 week 3-11. Their philosophy was new nurses won't be successful without a good orientation. They were right and I stayed there until they sold the facility :-(

Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jun 12, 2007

I had one week of orientation on day shift at my first LTC job. Then I went to my assigned shift (nights). I was no longer on orientation, but believe me, I was not hesitant to ask questions of anybody or everybody when I needed to. Otherwise, I could not have survived.

Sumi0620 · May 27, 2012

you are so right this new trend going on new nurses you will have many guestions on your mind better learn before you end up making a mistake before you start orientation make sure you know policies and procedure of the orientation in that perticular facility

Fiona59 · May 27, 2012

Three days as a new grad. Orientation is to learn the unit routine and paperwork. Not to mentor you or teach you your skills. That's what nursing school was supposed to do. Co-workers were more than willing to come and be there for a few procedures that were unfamiliar but I was hired to work not redo a clinical placement.

When I moved from LTC to acute care, again it was three shifts.

MimiLPN · Aug 3, 2012

I started this new job at a SNF unit . How long was your orientation at work?

To the above poster, I disagree..orientation is not *just* to show you the routine and paperwork. For new grads its to guide you through the world of nursing until you grasp what the job entails and become confident putting your skills to practice.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

I'm in corrections, and I got 40 hours orientation (2 on day shift, 2 on evenings, 1 on nights). I still ask questions since I've been off orientation though!