Nursing orientation

[doxielover304]

As a brand new nurse, how does orientation at a hospital usually go? I just graduated and I'm really curious as to how long you do orientation and things like that. Do you simply follow around and observe a preceptor? Do you have your own patients to take care of by yourself? I know it's probably kind of different in every facility, but I'd just like a simple run down of what it's like... Thank you so much for any response!! :)

[jamisaurus]

My answer is specific to the ICU.

First 2 weeks is usually computer/charting orientation outside of the unit. Then we started with a preceptor with one stable patient to get the lay of the land. Gradually, you would take on sicker patients, do more on your own, and work on time management. By the end of orientation your preceptor should be just a resource and doing nothing but checking charting.

Our educator has started doing skills classes at the beginning of orientation, with basic intro to art lines, vents, etc.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

There is corporate training, computer training, classes may continue for some length of time. Where I am, they start out with 2 pts the first few days, with a preceptor there to guide but at the end of 4 weeks, you are expected to be able to handle 5 pts. You still have your preceptor to help. The next 4 weeks are considered resource, where you are on your own and my have only 4 pts with less supervision, but a "go-to" person. After 8 weeks you are on your own.

When I was oriented, I had 6 months of orientation, 1:1, It became cost prohibitive to continue, but I was very lucky. You quickly figure out which nurses will help you and which ones could care less.