Need Help and Information re: Orientation

Guest717236 · Aug 2, 2006

"]I finally graduated from Nursing school in June!!! I have my NCLEX-RN scheduled for 8/15 (pray for me!) and I'm doing my Q&As every day, though still feeling pretty unprepared!

My question is actually related to Orientation for new nurses. I would like to work part time because of my 3 little girls. One of them is 16 months and I have never put her in daycare or anything like that. What I wanted to know is what does Orientation entail, how long is orientation (usually), what are the hours and of course, how did other RN/mom's complete orientation with parental demands????"

I hate to start my RN career in a doctor's office, but may have to because of the orientation issue. Oh, yes, also, does anyone know if orientation is shorter at a Nursing home???

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Congratulations on graduation and best of luck with the NCLEX-RN.

Many orientations are full time, my foggy recollection was that

it was 6 weeks years ago. They were trying to bridge the gap

between taking the exam and getting results (pre NCLEX).

That said-nothing wrong with starting in a Doctors office if

those hours are best for you and your family. It can be a challenging

and rewarding as well. The downside is the benefit options are

sometimes not as available.

Best wishes in whatever you choose!!!!

Lurksalot, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2006

Childcare is an issue for me, too, and it took a lot of planning to make it work and keep us all happy. I sympathize about not wanting to be away from your little one too long.

What resources do you use for childcare while you are in school? First off, I would sit down and work out what it would mean for you to work different shifts, like a hypothetical 7a-7p, 3-11p, or 7p-7a, or whatever shift hours the facility you are interested in is offerring. Then consider what your childcare alternatives are, and what kind of flexibility you can put into that schedule. When you interview, I would be upfront and very honest about the hours you want to work, and ask them specifically if you will be orienting the same hours that you will be working. If you take a job offer and they tell you you can orient the same hours you will work, try to get it in writing before you sign a contract. My classmates and I have found that new grads are almost always signing a contract for a specific period of time, and those who do not want to sign are not getting hired (hospitals, that is, not sure about LTC or doctor's offices or other areas.)

The orientation period can be any length, different hospitals and different units vary. At my facility, new grads in med-surg are getting 6 wks. In the ER I am getting 4-6 months. Some of my friends signed on for night shift and then found they were orienting on days, and vice versus.

It's hard to predict how your facility handles orienting new grads, it's different everywhere. Some hospitals, like mine, have a new grad program twice a year, and they have specialised classes that are required, no matter what time of day or unit you are working on, so they can cover all the new grads at once. Some have no new grad program, and take 'em individually.

I would suggest searching here for info on facilities you want to apply to, and then contact the HR departments for further info. I'm sure you will be able to find a good situation that will work for you. And working in a doctor's office for a bit while your kids are little would be a great first job, it's all good experience to get under your belt, especially if it is a position you can be happy in and feel like you still have your home life. Being a happy nurse and finding some balance with your life is most important.

Kids grow up fast don't they? I want to be there every second, too. :) Also, if you can learn to deal with the sleep schedule and have a caregiver you can have your kids stay with overnight, night shift is great. I did it for a while and found I felt like I was with my child much more than day shift.

Good luck!

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 2, 2006

My orientation just ended a month ago. It took me a little over 3 month to complete and I have 4 young children as well. At first, I did put them in a home daycare setting but it wasnt' working out. The kids hated going to see her and I was hearing things that weren't satisfactary. So right when I wanted another option my manager just came up to me and asked if I wanted weekend option. It works great for my family. Dh works monday through thursday and Saturday. I work Friday through Sunday 12 hour shifts. We get a babysitter to come to the house for Saturdays. We get to see eachother at night and we can keep the kids in a familiar environment.

jazzpRN · Aug 2, 2006

My orientation just ended a month ago. It took me a little over 3 month to complete and I have 4 young children as well. At first, I did put them in a home daycare setting but it wasnt' working out. The kids hated going to see her and I was hearing things that weren't satisfactary. So right when I wanted another option my manager just came up to me and asked if I wanted weekend option. It works great for my family. Dh works monday through thursday and Saturday. I work Friday through Sunday 12 hour shifts. We get a babysitter to come to the house for Saturdays. We get to see eachother at night and we can keep the kids in a familiar environment.

I'm thinking about doing weekend shifts as well. Does that mean orientation would be the same days/hours you work? How does that work? Was orientation everyday, during your shift or more like all day (i.e. 8am-4pm?)