New grad program at U of Wash, Harborview, Swedish, Va Mason - what do you think?

[smile123]

Hi there,

I was wondering if there are any RNs that have gone through the new grad program at:

U of Washington

Harborview

Swedish

Virginia Mason

Fred Hutchinson

1) How long was the program? (4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months or more?)

2) Did you like it?

3) Did you feel like you got the support you needed?

4) Were you working 3 -12's, 4 -10's and did you work evenings, nights or days or did you rotate?

5) What advice would you give to someone on how to choose a new grad program?

6) What place you would highly recommend for new grad training and why?

I will be graduating next summer and wanted to hear from some RNs who have gone through the new grad program. Thanks much!

Smile123

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

My first RN job was at U of WA. It was on their General Medicine floor. My orientation and preceptorship was six weeks long. I think I got pretty good support, but the staff support is definitely a big thing at the U of WA.

I worked days for four months, worked nights for a month, and then went back to days.

I think that six weeks is a good amount of time for med/surg nursing. 6-12 weeks is appropriate for stepdown/intermediate/progressive cardiac floors. Critical care floors and ER should have longer orientations. If you are driven, then you should be successful.

Seattle has awesome hospitals, my personal favorites are Harborview and U of WA because they are both large teaching hospitals...great environment for new grads.

When you do check out a residency/internship program, ask if it's preceptorship only or if classes are involved. Also ask if it is flexible. For instance, find out if you can have a little longer orientation if it deemed necessary by you at the end of your orientation weeks.

Good luck

[alyca]

I work at Harborview in orthopedics and went through the new grad program here. It is tailored to you. generally, it is about 12 weeks long, you spend the first 8 weeks or so(depending on your progress) working with a precepting nurse on the day shift, after that, you are rotated to whatever shift you were hired to work (days, eves, NOC, etc), and have a few more weeks there being oriented. There are 4 or 5 full days of just classes to go to on different procedures, etc, you always have someone there for you, and when YOU are ready, you are advanced to being on your own. It can go quicker/shorter or it can go longer if you need a few extra weeks. Very good. You are totally prepared by the time you are on your own.

[smile123]

I work at Harborview in orthopedics and went through the new grad program here. It is tailored to you. generally, it is about 12 weeks long, you spend the first 8 weeks or so(depending on your progress) working with a precepting nurse on the day shift, after that, you are rotated to whatever shift you were hired to work (days, eves, NOC, etc), and have a few more weeks there being oriented. There are 4 or 5 full days of just classes to go to on different procedures, etc, you always have someone there for you, and when YOU are ready, you are advanced to being on your own. It can go quicker/shorter or it can go longer if you need a few extra weeks. Very good. You are totally prepared by the time you are on your own.

Many thanks! I like that it's tailored to the individual.

Smile123

[smile123]

My first RN job was at U of WA. It was on their General Medicine floor. My orientation and preceptorship was six weeks long. I think I got pretty good support, but the staff support is definitely a big thing at the U of WA.

I worked days for four months, worked nights for a month, and then went back to days.

I think that six weeks is a good amount of time for med/surg nursing. 6-12 weeks is appropriate for stepdown/intermediate/progressive cardiac floors. Critical care floors and ER should have longer orientations. If you are driven, then you should be successful.

Seattle has awesome hospitals, my personal favorites are Harborview and U of WA because they are both large teaching hospitals...great environment for new grads.

When you do check out a residency/internship program, ask if it's preceptorship only or if classes are involved. Also ask if it is flexible. For instance, find out if you can have a little longer orientation if it deemed necessary by you at the end of your orientation weeks.

Good luck

Thanks Zacarias!

Smile123