This program was really what changed me from being unsure if I wanted to go back into the service to being sure - all over this site you read about civilian hospitals promising a certain amount of orientation time then not holding up their promises to new nurses which many times leaves them to be overwhelmed.
Is it safe to say the Army won't do the same? I know the program is pretty new- has a year gone by yet?
I believe the first group of new grads to begin the program have just graduated from OBLC this past month. I am sure there will be adjustments to the program over the next few years as lessons are learned.
For those who are thinking about this nurse residency program, let me just tell you that I just recently found out that it's not something that a recruiter can promise you, it's something that's decided when the assignments are made. When I asked my former recruiter where is my promise in writing about being apart of the nurse residency program, I was told that since my contract says I'm commissing army nurse corps/new graduate that automatically meant I'll be in the nurse residency program. That's not true. I was also told that as long as I commissioned before my 6 month mark it didn't matter if by the time that I went to OBLC if it was more than 6 months. That's not true either.
The information that I got from the Major who is making my assignment is, experience time starts from the day NCLEX is passed to when you enter OBLC. And ultimately the Major or whomever whose making the assignments is the one who put nurses in the residency program. Being apart of the nurse residency program was on my top 3 reasons for why I wanted to join and now I'm being told I won't get it. I wish they would tell some of these recruiters to have some class and integrity and stop lying because it's people's lives they are messing with. To say the least I'm very disappointed once again because I didn't want to just be with a preceptor for a few weeks and then be thrown out there, I know this happens because I've spoken to two new nurses in the army that this has happened to. I really could've found the same thing in the civilian world. So sad because I felt I asked the right questions and I researched as much as I could and I still got screwed!!!
For those who are thinking about this nurse residency program, let me just tell you that I just recently found out that it's not something that a recruiter can promise you, it's something that's decided when the assignments are made. When I asked my former recruiter where is my promise in writing about being apart of the nurse residency program, I was told that since my contract says I'm commissing army nurse corps/new graduate that automatically meant I'll be in the nurse residency program. That's not true. I was also told that as long as I commissioned before my 6 month mark it didn't matter if by the time that I went to OBLC if it was more than 6 months. That's not true either.
The information that I got from the Major who is making my assignment is, experience time starts from the day NCLEX is passed to when you enter OBLC. And ultimately the Major or whomever whose making the assignments is the one who put nurses in the residency program. Being apart of the nurse residency program was on my top 3 reasons for why I wanted to join and now I'm being told I won't get it. I wish they would tell some of these recruiters to have some class and integrity and stop lying because it's people's lives they are messing with. To say the least I'm very disappointed once again because I didn't want to just be with a preceptor for a few weeks and then be thrown out there, I know this happens because I've spoken to two new nurses in the army that this has happened to. I really could've found the same thing in the civilian world. So sad because I felt I asked the right questions and I researched as much as I could and I still got screwed!!!
the program was what made me go from feeling uncertain about going back in- to being certain. That sucks that they made it seem like a guarantee and then now it is different. I know that is what they do sometimes, just to get people to sign up- but this program will benefit the hospital as well as the new nurse. I must admit I am not so eager to join anymore. It seems like a good orientation is a big part of new nurses having a miserable first year or a good one- I mean look at all the threads about new nurses ready to quit! To me, it would have been worth going back into the military for a few years if I was going to get a thorough orientation.
I am sorry to hear about the promises of the "new nurse orientation program" and the limitation of enrollees.....
What I would like to add here is not military specifically, but a gentle reminder about new job orientation....
Orientation is hard, no matter where you are OR what level you are starting at. I know this because I have orientated at 4 hospitals (2 states), 4 different areas of nursing. And I bet most of us would agree, being "new" in a unit, floor or team feels like you are starting from zero all over again.
Because even the skills you feel like you have are completely deminished with new equipment, new charting, different standards of cares, feelings of "no support in times of need", etc.
Right now, I am precepting people on our flight team. These are experienced nurses with years of ICU care under their belt (most have been a nurse longer than me). And they are nervous, and feel like they have never done patient care before. We discuss how hard it is to learn a new job...
So, I guess what I am getting at.....whether you are in a "residency program" or have a month of orientation, it is still going to feel miserable in your new job until you get the flow of your work down.....and only time can make it better.
My own first nursing job orientation (straight into an adult ICU) was 3 months. It was a terrible time of my life. I am so glad the orientation did not stretch on for a year.....Being watched made me a nervous wretch!
I'm glad I was able to share the information with you all. I'm really not trying to deter anyone from joining but as someone who has been lied to time after time before and after commissioning, I just want to share as much information as possible that might help others. I decided to look into the army because of the nurse residency program. After working 2 months as a civilian nurse, I was thrown on a floor with just 19 physical days of being with a preceptor, it's not a good feeling. I hate to think this will be repeated again but now the stakes will be higher because I'm looked at as a leader. I would think the army would want new nurses to hone our skills so we could be competent and proficient nurses as well as leaders. To become this, I hope I get a thorough orientation but as I've quickly learned with dealing with the army...I shouldn't hold my breath.
There was more of a centralized program for RN residencies that they ran some 'pilot' trials on. My understanding is the current residency program is more along the lines of how a normal hospital does a residency program. There is essentially a checklist of skills, online training, in person training, tasks, skills, etc that you work to complete over a given period of time with your mentor.. and educator and 'manager'. Please chime in if you know otherwise... A good thing about the army is after the 1st year you can apply to attend a specific focal area school for pscyh, L&D, OR, CC, and a few slots are available in community health and ER as well....
the program was what made me go from feeling uncertain about going back in- to being certain. That sucks that they made it seem like a guarantee and then now it is different. I know that is what they do sometimes, just to get people to sign up- but this program will benefit the hospital as well as the new nurse. I must admit I am not so eager to join anymore. It seems like a good orientation is a big part of new nurses having a miserable first year or a good one- I mean look at all the threads about new nurses ready to quit! To me, it would have been worth going back into the military for a few years if I was going to get a thorough orientation.
dreamon
706 Posts
This program was really what changed me from being unsure if I wanted to go back into the service to being sure - all over this site you read about civilian hospitals promising a certain amount of orientation time then not holding up their promises to new nurses which many times leaves them to be overwhelmed.
Is it safe to say the Army won't do the same? I know the program is pretty new- has a year gone by yet?