nurses don't know when they're orientating

[proud nurse]

I'm having a good learning experience so far in orientation, but I just have one question that's bugging the heck out of me. Why don't my preceptors know I'm coming? I've worked with 2 nurses so far that have had no idea they're having an orientee. Not only do I feel like a goof standing there saying "hi, I'm proud nurse and I'm orientating with you today", but they have this deer in the headlight look, like "crap."

I'm trying to make the most of it, although I feel like I'm directing my orientation and there's really no plan laid out for me. The patients are great, the staff is helpful and friendly so far. It's kind of difficult for a person like me with my OCD tendancies to have something so unstructured, but I also feel like it might be best if I go with the flow.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Just so the OP and others reading know ... it doesn't have to be this way. Some places do have organized orientations planned with forethought.

In my unit, you're assigned a preceptor and work their schedule during orientation. Their may be a shift or two with someone else but that's rare.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

At my hospital, staffing can change in a heartbeat. When someone "calls out," it can be very difficult to find someone else to fill in. We end up pulling nurses to other departments. Someone can easily "not know they are orienting someone" because of this. I, myself, never know where I will be working when I go in. I get pulled between 3 different departments.

[IM4patients]

Are you in a situation where you could champion somewhat the new orientation program, or at least give the feedback to the right people on some ways to improve the preceptor program. Ex knowing who your with, documentation for orientee, classes for preceptors(to know what's expected of them), adjusting nurse pt ratio to allow for teaching, ect... This maybe very helpful for others coming in and speak very well of your professional abilities. They may be willing to take a look at your orientation plan immediately.

[Bezoars]

Usually this happens because they are just so busy! They really don't have time to put much thought or coordination into it, typically. The moral of the story is... ask questions and look for opportunities to learn because you are in charge of your own training a lot of times.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I'm glad you're having a good learning experience so far. And you're right -- it is best when you go with the flow. Have an idea of what your learning needs are and be able to describe your prior experience in a few brief sentences -- that'll help the preceptor figure out what to do with you. You may have to "structure" your own orientation. It's too bad when that happens, but if you feel as though you're getting a good learning experience, you're better off than many.

By the way -- it's "orienting" rather than "orientating".

Thanks Ruby Vee. Sometimes I get mixed up with that word orienting. Like when someone asks if a patient has been orientated to his room, or oriented to his room.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

It's disorganized in my situation. I've seen my schedule for the next 2 weeks. Everytime I have a scheduled day off and come back to work, looks like I'll be working with someone different. At that rate, by the time orientation is over I will have worked with probably 12 nurses, because I've only had 7 days on the floor with 3 preceptors thus far.

It's just frustrating

[twopurpleskittles]

Yikes. That would be awkward. I did a 3 month orientation/preceptorship in ICU with the same nurse the whole time. We were on the same schedule. I just thought it was the same for everyone. Perhaps it should be? You could try speaking with the manager. I hope it gets better for you.

[loriangel14, RN]

Where I work you only get afew days orientation and usually you just get a few days notice if you are orienting someone.Sometimes you find out that day. especially if there is a sick call and they need to pick someone else.It's not that big a deal. You aren't "teaching" someone.The assumption is that they know how to do their job, they just need orientating to the floor.

[JessiekRN]

Thanks Ruby Vee. I thought I was the only one cringing.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

Please remember that you are orienting. A person attends orientation. One does not orientate. Professionals know the difference.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I've had five preceptors in less than two months. My original preceptor had some medical issues and was going to be out for awhile, so they had to modify things a bit. I was with one for a few weeks, she is part time but came back full time for awhile to orient me. The person I was supposed to be with initially is back now, but they forgot and put me with three other nurses, who only knew I was going to be with them when they came in. It's kind of hard because my first preceptor and I had a good system going, she'd come in and say "ready to do my job for me today?!" because she was comfortable enough with me to know she could cut me loose and not watch me much. The others aren't familiar with me so it's harder. I actually had one ask me if I was allowed to give meds. Really?!