New Job, Lost Orientation Packet

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Peds.

I don’t know what to do. I haven’t had a job quite like this, where I had to carry an orientation checklist with me every day for five weeks.  I am on my fourth week of orientation at a long term care facility. I was given a packet that very nurse who precepted me had to fill out. Pt, OT, and respiratory filled it out also. I had to bring the packet with me every day. So while life went on, I lost the whole packet. Nurse manager says I will have to have to get another one and chase everyone around who filled it out. That is going to be extremely difficult, as I work nights and I in the first two weeks preceptors on day shift. 

What do you guys think? Should I just quit, or chase everyone around?

ETA: Usually, when I orient at a new place, there is no orientation packet. I do all my skills in one day and the nurse manager signs off on them, or you just go through orientation and then start working on your own.

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Why on earth would you quit a job over this? Get a new packet and get it filled out. It's unfortunate that it will be difficult but unfortunately it's your mess to clean up. Your previous orientation experience is irrelevant. In fact, I'd go further to say that at this place it sounds like they are actually orienting you rather than just signing you off and throwing you on the floor.  

This is the second time you've misplaced important paperwork. Have you thought about ways to prevent this in the future? 

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Specializes in ER.

They sound like a nitpicky place. It might not be a good match for you, since you lost that stupid packet!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 8/20/2021 at 9:09 AM, Runsoncoffee99 said:

What do you guys think? Should I just quit, or chase everyone around?

The question is. How much do you want the job? If you do suck it up and get a new packet completed. Same thing happened to me many years ago and I took ownership and fixed the problem because I wanted the job. (I still work there BTW)

You seem to think having to carry an orientation packet is unusual thing but it's not.

Hppy

 

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

This is one of the things I reinforce multiple times with orientees when I meet with them. Your orientation packet is a record for the facility to record that they have provided you with training to do your job and have deemed you competent to perform independently. It’s actually a regulatory requirement that such documentation exists in whatever form the facility provides. So I definitely see your manager’s view. Yeah, it sucks that you need to reach out to people on another shift, but it needs to be done. Can you take your new packet and distribute separate papers to mailboxes and email those people to complete and place in your mailbox?

I've been there with my own orientees. Orientation to the OR is six months. And I’ve had to help them recreate nearly six months worth of documentation when their folder goes MIA near the end of orientation. 

As for carrying the packet with you, that’s truly the norm. How else do you things signed off as you do them?

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Specializes in PICU.

I think it is fantastic that you have an orientation packet.  Part of being on orientation is ensuring you get your packet signed off and being responsible for ensuring your skills are signed off.  

The other place you mentioned that had a one day sign off is a place that does not care about your skills nor if you are competent.  

This orientation packet will serve you will and really ensure you are getting a true orientation.  It is unfortunate, but you will need to go back and get everything signed off.  This is not a reason to quit a job, be glad that this organization cares enough to ensure you are safe to practice.  

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Specializes in retired LTC.

RNNPICU - agreeing with you 1000%. A very thorough way to document completed sections nec for orientation.

A suggestion might be to Xerox a partially completed checklist periodically  'just in case'.

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Specializes in Peds.
On 8/20/2021 at 9:14 AM, Wuzzie said:

Why on earth would you quit a job over this? Get a new packet and get it filled out. It's unfortunate that it will be difficult but unfortunately it's your mess to clean up. Your previous orientation experience is irrelevant. In fact, I'd go further to say that at this place it sounds like they are actually orienting you rather than just signing you off and throwing you on the floor.  

This is the second time you've misplaced important paperwork. Have you thought about ways to prevent this in the future? 

No its the first actually. Because as I said, most places I worked at do not have you carry around an orientation packet. This place does not have mailboxes or lockers.

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Specializes in Peds.

I did not know it was the norm. In my 16+ years of practice, this is a first. I do remember there was two places that had a sign off sheet, but the office or nurse manager kept it.

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1 minute ago, Runsoncoffee99 said:

No its the first actually. Because as I said, most places I worked at do not have you carry around an orientation packet. This place does not have mailboxes or lockers.

Please review your previous post about a home health incident. That being said carrying an orientation packet around is very much the norm. You need to figure out a centralized location to store things like this and be religious about utilizing it.

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Specializes in Peds.
2 minutes ago, Wuzzie said:

Please review your previous post about a home health incident. That being said carrying an orientation packet around is very much the norm. You need to figure out a centralized location to store things like this and be religious about utilizing it.

Oh yes,that was for a per diem job. I found that in my car, under the hatchback.

I have four jobs at the moment. One per diem Mon-Fri days, the new job is supposed to be full time  nights, one per diem on weekend days, and 8 hours with another company Sat and Sun nights.

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It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. It's easy to become frazzled and misplace things. That's why some sort of bag/briefcase that you keep your important items in is key to reduce the risk of losing them. 

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