New Grad, SNF job

[nbsotelo]

Hey everyone. So I graduated with my BSN and recently passed my boards. I applied to many acute care jobs and actually was able to land two interviews. I thought both went well, but in both i was turned down because I have no medical experience aside from my education.

I recently had an interview at a SNF and was offered the job next day. I decided to take it because I figured that could help me acquire some experience (even if its not in acute care). I start monday and am freaking out because I was told i would have 4 days of orientation (which i hear is pretty common for SNF). I just need some words of wisdom, advice, whatever you guys can offer.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Only 4 days of orientation is pretty brutal. That is not the norm where I work. Even an experienced LTC nurse gets a week, a new nurse gets a couple of weeks. But since your situation is only giving you 4 days make the most of them. Hopefully the nurses that will be training you in are good at it as you don't have much time to learn before you are on your own.

Your biggest immediate challenge will be learning how to manage a huge med pass and probably multiple treatments all while learning how to navigate the facilities charting system and policies and procedures unique to that facility. No way will you get everything down in 4 days so if you are able to manage the med pass and treatments on your own at that point be happy. The rest will come with time and practice. Hopefully you will be working with a supportive staff that is willing to take the time to answer the tons of questions I am sure you will have as new situations arise.

[jd78741sanger]

I feel your pain. I worked at a SNF as a CNA and CMA while I went to nursing school, graduated and went to work in the hospital to polish my nurse skills. I did not like the hospital much, left like all I did was give pain meds all day every day, so I went back to the SNF I grew up in. Now while at the hospital as a new grad I received two months of orientation which included classroom instruction, hands-on skill simulation, and etc. , but at this SNIF I got 3 days orientation, which all I did was follow a super busy nurse around for three, 12hr shifts and I was on my own. Sounds scary to people I tell that to in nursing school but I think it has helped me grow a lot faster as a nurse. This is because I mange all their appointments, talk to different doctors that come in and round on residents. So my advice to you is keeping re-educating yourself to keep your nurse skills sharp and hang on to the coat tail of the smartest nurses you know, it will rub off on you.

[zmom23]

In my facility it's 2-3 weeks orientation for a new grad

[suzw]

Our facility gives 8 days for new grads, 3 or 4 for experienced nurses. All of which are simply following around a more experienced nurse (no formal training program or computer training). I didn't feel it was enough, though might have been if all my 8 days were on one floor. But I actually ended up getting only 4 days on each floor. I can't imagine only having 4 days total, as a new grad. I feel that 12-16 would've been better. There was so much I was never taught and had to learn the hard way. There is still a lot I don't know, 6 months later.