Nurse Residency Program

[Djeffer2]

Hi, I'm a new nurse who just graduated in May & I have several questions pertaining to nursing units and nurse residency programs. My first question, has anyone employed at Piedmont or any other medical center for that matter ever heard of automatically being employed into a nurse residency program if you have less than 6 months of experience? That's what I was told by HR & I've often had hard times with hospital HR because they never give me the papers I need or the wrong info. & I'm just wondering if this is common practice. Finally, can anyone tell me what orientation is like for a new nurse? Do they just throw you out there per say? PLEASE HELP!

[cleback]

Orientation will vary based on facility and department. That question would be an excellent one for your unit manager.

As far as residency programs, consider yourself lucky that they have it. Not all places have residency programs because of the added cost. They are pretty well sought after where I am. It may be a good sign that they recognize you're a newbie and are willing to invest a bit more into your professional development. I'd do it.

[bmward0807]

Hi! I'm a new grad as well and just recently took NCLEX. I am starting my hospital's new nurse grad residency program. This is how mine is set up... I have a total of 4 months. The first week I have hospital orientation. The second, third, and fourth week I have unit orientation. This is where I have two "clinical coaches" that will help guide me through learning how to work on the unit. I have one coach for day shift and one for night shift. I also have a day shift mentor and a night shift mentor. The clinical coaches are similar to preceptors but you are not working under them. They are more so go to people when you get stuck with something. The fifth week I have classroom education, which involves refreshing on concepts and skills from nursing school. After that it goes back into the cycle of three weeks of unit orientation. And one of classroom education. Two of the four months I will be working day shift and the other two I will be working night shift so I can get a feel for both. They do not simply throw me into being a nurse. They work with me and help me understand everything so I can be confident by the end of my time in orientation.

[offlabel]

can we stop calling supplemental nursing training "residency"? That term is a ACGME designation for doctors. Using it implies that nursing needs a "doctor" term because nurses lack credibility. It's embarrassing. Same goes for "fellowship". Can't nursing get over this inferiority complex? Sheesh...