how much orientation did you receive as a new grad?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I keep reading these posts about new grads being dumped on a floor with little to no orientation.

How much did you get?

Mine was a week with another nurse, after that I was on my own with 5 med/surg pt's with no CNA on the floor. It was tough and totally unfair, but I thankfully survived.

2 weeks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! I was given a week, which was 5 shifts without a patient load and two of those shifts i was without my preceptor. Then i was given a full patient load and left to it, on a busy day this could be up to 14 patients with one CNA/Aide to help me. The float nurse doesnt take patients. This is on a busy trauma/ortho floor (my training was predominantly medical)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

First job in the hospital as a new grad---One 8 hour class on IVs. Then off to the floor where I was informed I was in charge since I was the only RN. That was it. Now that I'm in charge, the new grads get at least a month to six weeks and this is in long term care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.

I got three shifts and all three were on different wings, so I didn't get the same patients more than once before I was on the floor by myself. This was LTC with rehab, but sheesh! After three months on the cart, I was put in charge of the whole building (180 pts) from 3-11pm. I only stayed a year because it didn't seem that anyone knew what was going on and it didn't feel safe for anyone.

I then moved to the hospital and had two weeks in the classroom and then 6 weeks on the floor with a mentor. Much better organization and cooperation! I am still there and have no plans on leaving.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

10 days in TCU

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A little off topic.....

Is it common for some hospitals to have one nurse on a unit orient 2-3 nurses? Cause I was told I would be "sharing" a preceptor with two other newbies. How is that gonna work? Would us newbies have to split that preceptor's patient load?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Twelve weeks. I took this job over another one specifically because of the length of orientation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Just offered a position on a clinical decision unit. It has a 13 week internship. Still weighing my options out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

6 weeks. 1:6 ratio. nights. paper charting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Grad. in 74. Went to trauma hospital in 77. Day sign the papers, Day 2 fire and iv class, Day 3 CPR, Day 4 on the unit, Day 5 10 patients of my own. Then that Saturday got called in to be in charge on a different unit on 3-11. Ah yes I remember it well. And I was so green I thought it was OK.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg.

5 weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical.

4 weeks, but really 3 days then just someone there that I could ask questions of.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment