No orientation?

Have you worked as an RN since graduating May?

No, this will be my first job as a nurse.

I just started my first corrections job, but have been a nurse for 2 years and still get a weeks training. We have a new grad LPN who gets 2 weeks. I would remind them that you have not worked as a nurse and ask if you can have a preceptor for that "week or two" they are giving you on days.

Interested in this subject. Applying for CA prison jobs. New grad too, as of May 2010.

Not appropriate even for corrections nursing. This really is not safe nor is it fair to you. Remind them of your new grad status and ask for an extended orientation period. I understand they need warm bodies but they will benefit much more if you actually are trained appropriately.

Good luck

I agree way to short of an orientation period. I just had about 6 weeks myself. Remind them you are very eager to learn and a longer orientation period will be beneficial to both of you.

Thanks for replies. I've been there about two weeks and have gotten lots of one-on-one time with the other RNs and the LPNs, so they didn't just toss me in like I was afraid of. I spent a full week on first shift before going on second (my shift), and I requested to work a third shift with the night nurses. I've been doing sick call and taking the infirmary, but I haven't done medline or seg sick call yet. It's very different, and I've only had two inmates try to argue with me. One crazy day that started with a code at shift change and just went downhill from there. Sometime in the next month or so there is a one week department of corrections training.

The only thing I'm having any issues with is getting the inmates to call me Ms Lastname, because all the other nurses let them use their first names, even though it's kind of against protocol. So far they've been respectful, and only once did a CO have to intervene when an inmate started getting riled up because I wouldn't give her any more meds for her cold. It's a lot of relying on nursing judgement and realizing that I'm the rapid response and code team. I did almost snap at the doctor for not taking something seriously when I called him about what I believed to be medically urgent. But that's probably something that could happen anywhere, and I will see that inmate tonight at treatment line so I can follow her and make sure she's not going to keel over.