Only 19 shifts for new grad orientation Med/Surg??? whhaaaattt

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 17, 2008

Run, don't walk to another position...

student456 · May 17, 2008

That is what I don't understand....this hospital in question is a world renowned hospital around the world....its not some small little rural hospital or something....its one of the bigger ones in Canada. If it were me, I would be out of there as fast as I could.

eccentricRN · May 17, 2008

Ok, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I oriented for 1 month, 32 hours a week (8hr shifts), on 1st & 2nd shift & then it was off to 3rd shift where I immediately had a full patient load... it was a little hairy at first & still can be from time to time, but I'm about 5 months in & I still have tons of questions, but I also work with great nurses, who are always available to answer a question or come along when I freak myself out about something I've never done before....right now I'm really enjoying med/surg & the variety I encounter even in one shift, so I think it's possible to manage with a shorter orientation... I should add my first week on the job was strictly classroom work...which helped alot. I guess it just depends on the individual & the environment in which you work.

NeosynephRN · May 17, 2008

Well I mean I definately think that is short..but it is 6 weeks...I think it is between 6-8 weeks at my hospital on med-surg.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 17, 2008

My best friend since grade 5 just graduated from a BSCN nursing school and he got a job at a large teaching hospital in our city and they are only giving him 19 - 12 hour shifts for orientation on med surg! I almost croaked when he told me this....isnt that wayyyy too short a a med surg orientation for new grads? After his 19 shifts are finished the nurse manager told him he is going to be pulling a full patient load like any other nurse would.

I hate to tell you this, but it's NOT wayyyy too short.....at three 12 hour shifts a week, that's six weeks plus one more shift of orientation time, which is fine. Your friend would be off orientation halfway through the seventh week.

I was offered eight, but expected to be totally up and running after that. A few people choose the six week route, mostly those who do 5 8-hour shifts (thereby getting about the same time as the 8 weekers who do longer shifts).

So no, it's not odd at all, and no reason to run to another facility. At least from what I've seen, anyway. Most hospitals will also expect the new grad to be a little sketchy after the orientation time is over, help is available, but they are expected to take a full assignment and ask for help as needed.

Nurseismade RN · May 17, 2008

I had 4 weeks orientation, which included 1 week of classroom:bugeyes: however even with a full patient load....I always had help if I needed it.......I actually liked being off orientation as I was able to develop my own system of doing things....time management was a biggy.......3 months later....still a learning process. Tonite I actually finished way ahead of time, where I could help another nurse with narc count who was really behind......a really nice feeling....that was with an admission and 3 other patients.

elkpark · May 17, 2008

I hate to tell you this, but it's NOT wayyyy too short.....at three 12 hour shifts a week, that's six weeks plus one more shift of orientation time, which is fine. Your friend would be off orientation halfway through the seventh week.
I was offered eight, but expected to be totally up and running after that. A few people choose the six week route, mostly those who do 5 8-hour shifts (thereby getting about the same time as the 8 weekers who do longer shifts).
So no, it's not odd at all, and no reason to run to another facility. At least from what I've seen, anyway. Most hospitals will also expect the new grad to be a little sketchy after the orientation time is over, help is available, but they are expected to take a full assignment and ask for help as needed.

I agree -- six weeks isn't excessively "generous," but it's not frighteningly brief, either. It's a reasonable amount of orientation time.

JRD2002 · May 17, 2008

Yep 21 shifts for me = 6 weeks. Sucks but it is sink or swim time. Tell him he better make the most out of it and ask a ton of questions.

student456 · May 17, 2008

The way they worked his schedule out is that its only actually 4 weeks of on the floor orientation because its like 2 days on 3 days off then 3 days on , etc for a total of 19 shifts in a month...its not straight 3 days a week schedule then 4 days off...well at least its good to hear that some people had similar orientations

Cindy-san · May 17, 2008

It's sad, my first thoughts were "that isn't too bad." But that's because my friends had 2 weeks. Yes, as new grads on med-surg (in a famous hospital, to boot), they only had 2 weeks until they were thrown into the fire. I told them to run, but they didn't listen, until 1-2 yrs later. :uhoh3: :banghead:

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 17, 2008

We give our new grads in med-surg 12 weeks. Six weeks isn't enough.

Good luck.