New Grad in Med/Surg

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I'm a fairly new grad, with 3 months experience in home health. I was hired for a Med/Surg night shift position, on a 60 bed unit. I'm pretty nervous as I haven't been in a hospital now for a couple months, and not used to having more than one patient at a time. The recruiter told me average pt./nurse ratio is 6:1, and my orientation is 3 weeks long. Do you think this is reasonable for a new grad? She said charge nurse doesn't have patients so if I get behind they help. Also have CNA do VS, I&Os, personal care, etc.

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The ratio sounds ok but the length of orientation sounds pretty short to me. I recently transferred to a medical floor and my orientation is 6 weeks, with more time if I feel I need it (or less if I don't). This, after 1 year of pediatric home health and 9 months in surgery.

I can't see that 3 weeks would be enough. For me, I would not have been ready at 3 weeks (I'm just wrapping up week 4). I am really enjoying myself but quite honestly I feel like I'm back in school, at the very end, trying to use new skills with information overload. It's a lot to learn in a short period of time.

Best of luck to you!

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If you dont mind me asking... how did you go straight into home health being a new grad?

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I worked for the agency for 2 years as a Home Health Aide while in nursing school. Probably not the best idea for a new grad, but I was pretty desperate for a job.

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Same for me...... hospital jobs had dried up and I needed/wanted to work. I liked my ped HH job but it certainly was nerve-wracking at times.

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

I've been doing HH for 16 months and interviewed for a med-surg job today. More specifically it was a post-op position and they told me that orientation would be several months and longer if needed. 3 weeks is entirely too short!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

Absolutely doable!!

Is the three week orientation after a classroom orientation. Is it with a preceptor?

Charge nurses are available to act as resources and to monitor the flow of the unit. They can be a value support. Good Luck

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kayern thanks for giving me some positive support! That is a good question about orientation that I didn't even think to ask. I would assume it's a combination, they said first day was an orientation with all new hires. They said orientation may be longer depends on when I feel comfortable. I'm still nervous though!

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