New Grad 5 days orientation

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Hello,

I need some word of advice. I am being offered a position in a nursing home. The orientation is only five days, and then I would be on my own. I am scared that I might not be able to grasp all of the new information being thrown at me in this time frame. Is this a normal amount of time for orientation? Or am I right to be scared? By the way I am a new grad, so no experience here.

Thank You!

P.s. If anyone has any tips on how to "survive" in a nursing home please share!

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That is a short orientation...:eek:

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

That is about what I had in the nursing home I work.

At first you feel slow and feel like you will never pick up speed or learn it all. One thing that really helped me was taking the list of residents and marking when they receive their meds and if any are in the Narc drawer. I revised it to fit my needs. I work 1400-2200. I have a column that is unmarked but it is anything I need to do between 1400 and 1600. Vitals, Skilled nursing assessments, meds, Glucose tests, etc. Then I have a column for 1600 where under that I have the marked who receives 1600 meds and if one is a Narc, there is an N in that column. Then a Supper column, a 1900 column and a 2100 column. Down the left side are the resident's names. I double check the meds with the MAR (we are still on paper). If I depend totally on the MAR, I tend to miss some meds due to the way our paper Mars are created.

I also include how the resident receives their meds. With applesauce or pudding and crushed with applesauce or pudding. Any others are whole with a drink.

I hope this gives you some ideas.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If that's the only job you can get, then I guess take it. But holy moly that's a short orientation! Take lots & lots of notes during your orientation!!! Get if you don't have it already.

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That is a short orientation...:eek:

😥 I am very anxious, as I have heard that nursing home is the easiest way to lose a license... However, I cannot find a job elsewhere, so I am considering taking this position.

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If that's the only job you can get, then I guess take it. But holy moly that's a short orientation! Take lots & lots of notes during your orientation!!! Get malpractice insurance if you don't have it already.

I have looked for few months already and its very tough with jobs where I live 😔

People are telling me I am lucky to have found this.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I have looked for few months already and its very tough with jobs where I live 😔

People are telling me I am lucky to have found this.

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Where do you live? Is it possible to relocate?

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That's all I ever got, in both LTC and then when I moved to acute.

orientation is to learn how a site/ unit operates. The paperwork and routine, where supplies are kept. It is not meant to teach you how to be a nurse. You know your own weaknesses, let your buddy nurse know and work on them

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

At my facility, we can use the "phone a friend option." You know, I can call the DON or ADON if I am not sure about something as well as we do have a manual with some checklists should something come up. Like the first time I had a fall, there was a list of what I should do and what follow-ups would need to be done.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
That's all I ever got, in both LTC and then when I moved to acute.

orientation is to learn how a site/ unit operates. The paperwork and routine, where supplies are kept. It is not meant to teach you how to be a nurse. You know your own weaknesses, let your buddy nurse know and work on them

Of course in LTC they barely give you an orientation but as a new grad they shouldn't just throw you to the wolves. They aren't suppose to train you to be a nurse but 5 days isn't enough time when you are fresh out of school to learn the ropes of an entire facility.

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Where do you live? Is it possible to relocate?

Unfortunately not possible to relocate. I live in NY

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Unfortunately not possible to relocate. I live in NY

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How far out are you applying?

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