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Weeks? I was a new LVN and received one 8-hour shift in LTC in February 2006 before being cut loose to work on my own.How many weeks do you get?
Weeks? LOL, I wish I could have measured my orientation time in the number of weeks I received, but that is just not possible. All I need is one finger or toe to count the number of orientation days I received.
I am a new grad from dec 2013. I work on a cardiac progressive unit; we get post heart caths/PCI, CP, stroke pts, lots of CHF, afib pre/post TEE/CV... I got 4 weeks of day shift orientation and was scheduled for 4 weeks night shift orientation. On my 2nd week of nights, I was called in to fill a hole in the schedule & worked on my own. My NM had thought I was ready and was testing me out.. After that I got 4 nights of charge orientation, although I won't be able to do charge for a year (and don't want to). Also had one day in the cath lab and one in pre/post so I could get the required amount of sheath pulls!
I am lucky everyone I work with on my unit is very supportive and helpful! I always ask questions, always run things by my charge and ask her if what I think I should do is the best option.. I don't think any orientation is enough to experience everything.. I find something new every shift!
Hospital orientation is usually different from LTC facilities. It's common to hear LTC orientation lasting only a few days. At hospitals, it also depends on what specialty you are on. I started on a progressive care unit and received 12 weeks orientation, which included classroom new grad "workdays" and a 5-week basic critical care course. A colleague of mine who started in pediatric PACU/OR had 6 months.
I have to work my non-nursing job at the hospital while doing the internship. I guess you've gotta do what you've gotta do. It's sketchy but I guess they hold the cards here. Everywhere else wants one year experience.
Unpaid? How doe the hospital get away with that since it's kind of hard to make loan payments with $0.00 weekly income...
Sparrow91
238 Posts
I was just curious on what the average amount of time orientation is for new grads.
How many weeks do you get?
What type of facility do you work for (Hospital, LTC, ect)?
What unit?