Orientation, what's that like?

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What is orientation like? My friend who is a nurse told me for the first two weeks you are in a classroom setting where you are taught theory and stuff (I believe, not sure)then scheduled to be on the floor for 8hr shifts while you gradually increase in patient load and full 12 hr shifts up until you are on your own? I like the the two 2 week classroom setting idea. It's like a refresher course..lol What is your experience?

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Totally dependent on your employer. In this area there is seldom any classroom session anymore. Assigned a preceptor who you will hopefully follow for x number of weeks, gradually increase to handling the full assignment. Usually start out on days for most of the orientation and then if you are hired for nights do a couple of weeks on orientation on nights. Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

When I was a new nurse - or new to a facility as a RN, usually it was one to two weeks in a conference room where you learn about the hospital and its policies for the first two days (which is typically for all the new hires, regardless of what type of job); then you learn some specific nursing policies and procedures; computer training on order entry, documentation and medication administration if your facility uses such technology; some places will have you spend time learning to draw blood and starting IVs (some don't); some will teach you about their blood glucose testing, blood product administration, IV pump use, etc. - it really all does truly depend on where you are hired. It typically isn't a "refresher" course, so to speak, unless you are hired for a nurse residency type program.

You will spend time on your assigned unit with your preceptor as pp mentioned - typically on days first and then on your assigned shift. The time you are with a preceptor also depends on your facility and how well you seem to be adapting.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I agree-it is totally dependent on the facility. I was NOT enrolled in a nurse residency program, and I sooooo wish that it was offered when I was entering the nursing profession. Our graduated nurse residents can run circles around some of the seasoned nurses on my unit. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to learn. The residency program at my hospital is a year long.

If your facility does not offer residency programs, you will probably not be having any classroom time. What Spacklehead wrote is very common. Not a refresher at all-just going over policy, learning the computer system, Plum pumps, Pyxis, IStat, and all the rest of the little things that they are required to teach you before you are out on the floor.

It's actually kinda boring, and you will be DYING to get out on the floor already!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

it depends both on your facility and on the unit for which you're hired. here in the icu it's a week of classes -- signing up for benefits, policies and procedures, computer orientation, etc. then you meet your preceptor and start working together. new grads get up to six months of orientation, and over time you go to fewer classes and spend more time on the unit. there's a lot of close supervision and handholding when you're brand new, but as you become more familiar with the job and your preceptor grows to trust you, we usually hang loose and let you just come get us for turns, questions, etc. my orientee is flying alone after friday! whoo hoo!

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Specializes in NICU.

I can tell you what mine is like, but I must add the disclaimer that other people hired in at the same time, but different units, have completely different orientations.

My unit hired in a large group of new nurses. We have three weeks of classroom learning, then start precepting in 12, 8, and 4 hour shifts. We are all 40 hours a week, so we get a combo of those shifts for our hours. This lasts for about 8 more weeks, and then we are on our own, though still with a big support system to help us.

Being a new BSN grad, I am also part of the residency program at my hospital. This consists of monthly meetings, which I don't have a whole lot of details on yet. Our first meeting is in a few weeks.

I should also add that I am in a sub-specialty, so the classroom definately is not a refresher course, it is all new stuff that is specific to my unit and patient population. Hope that helps.

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The info provide in this thread helps a great deal. I'm still conteplating on whether or not to take a refresher course if some hospitals provide specific training to the unit I may be placed on. I really don't want to spend the money if I don't have to ( considering I've been out of nursing school for 5 years with absolutely no professional nursing experience). I just don't know what to do.

It seems as if the teaching facilities are the ones providing classroom orientations? I have my mind set on working on a med-surg floor at a teaching facility, if so I really don't have to take a refresher course. ughh, i'm so confused.

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One thing I'll add is that whatever orientation program you end up in, do NOT let them cut you loose if you don't feel ready. I've heard too many stories of people being promised a particular orientation process and one day being told, "We're short staffed. You're on you own. Sorry."

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

The classroom time being discussed here typically covers policies, procedures, equipment and information specific to that facility and/or unit/position -- it is not a substitute for a nursing refresher course.

Particularly in the current poor job market, as a candidate with no nursing experience in the last 5 years -- you will probably find it most expedient to complete a refresher course and then pursue employment. Seeking employment when you are not a competitive candidate is likely to be an exercise in frustration.

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Specializes in homecare/LTC.

wow this sounds like my situation only thing i had only 3 days of orientation and ill be on my own next week....i really dont feel comfortable myself by this being my first job at a nursing home i asked them can i have more orientation they told me no i only get 3 days by me not havn exp. in LTC at all. if i had exp. i wouldve had 2 days. but two weeks orientation sounds great......

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The classroom time being discussed here typically covers policies, procedures, equipment and information specific to that facility and/or unit/position -- it is not a substitute for a nursing refresher course.

Particularly in the current poor job market, as a candidate with no nursing experience in the last 5 years -- you will probably find it most expedient to complete a refresher course and then pursue employment. Seeking employment when you are not a competitive candidate is likely to be an exercise in frustration.

You hit the nail right on the head!! I was growing very frustrated. Although in a sense I'm considered a "new grad", they have wayyy more current knowledge and clinical experience than I do at this point! With a refresher course it will put me back on the playing field. Thank you for helping me officially make up my mind; refresher course it is, then pursuing RN employment.

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wow this sounds like my situation only thing i had only 3 days of orientation and ill be on my own next week....i really dont feel comfortable myself by this being my first job at a nursing home i asked them can i have more orientation they told me no i only get 3 days by me not havn exp. in LTC at all. if i had exp. i wouldve had 2 days. but two weeks orientation sounds great......

Orientation/preceptorship in most facilities are 4-12 weeks, more in a few places. 3 days is absolutely absurd, I would be very careful in this facility. Guard your license!

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