New Grad orientation...

Nurses New Nurse

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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?

Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

Three 12s a week day shift on a med/surg oncology unit in a hospital. My orientation lasts 12 weeks, at the end of that there are some new grads that need another couple weeks.

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I'm in a hospital setting on postpartum :) My orientation is 3 12-hr shifts per week for 4-6 weeks depending on how it's going. I'm doing about 4 weeks of my orientation on day shift and then switching to nights where I will be permanently.

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Specializes in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

I had 4 months orientation with full pay.

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About to start 21 weeks new grad (paid) program in the ICU.

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Hospital new grad here. 36 hours/week for 3 months med-surg/tele or for 6 months critical care. Unpaid. Yeah, I know...

Holy cr@p. I thought it was bad when the big system in my area went to a 12 week orientation, paid at 75% of their starting RN wage.

Can we new grads all form a pact right now that we do NOT work for free???

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I was in a residency program for a specialty unit (ortho) 6 months of one-on-one precepting plus classes (with CEs) every month for a year. It was great. I think they are doing away with it because it is expensive and people aren't staying after the 2 year commitment. Too bad, Now I don't even think they are hiring new grads.

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Holy cr@p. I thought it was bad when the big system in my area went to a 12 week orientation, paid at 75% of their starting RN wage.

Can we new grads all form a pact right now that we do NOT work for free???

I did once promise myself I wouldn't do it. But that was before I got turned down from every decent job within a 1 hour commute for not having experience (I can't relocate). It's either this internship or taking a job at a LTC facility with a scary nurse-patient ratio where I'd fear losing my license. It really sinks but I'd rather work for free and end up in a job that I like, than take a job that I'd hate. It seems they're either not hiring new grads, or taking advantage of them. :(

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As a new grad in NICU, I got 18 weeks, 9 on each shift, working 36 hrs/wk. I felt like it was just the right amount of time.

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NightBloomCereus, it sounds like you were between the proverbial rock and hard place; I don't blame you at all for doing what you had to do. I'm just sorry you had to do it. I really hope that this doesn't become the norm in hospitals, because it's offensive and demeaning. What other profession could get away with not paying its professionals?

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.
Three 12s a week day shift on a med/surg oncology unit in a hospital. My orientation lasts 12 weeks, at the end of that there are some new grads that need another couple weeks.

Ugh I can't edit for some reason. I get paid my full wage, including weekend or evening differentials while doing orientation. Orientation for free would be ridiculous!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Versant New Grad Orientation survivor here.

6 months total - Medical floor.

First month was just classes. It was painful. Then it started to get into the floor work and went from there.

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12 weeks at my hospital for all departments

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