orientation for med/surg?

KatieBell · Oct 2, 2005

Essentially, you are going to be a new nurse. I would ask them what the average length of time is for a new grad for their areas and see if that makes sense to you. Also, whatever time frame is decided on, make sure it is flexible and they will be willing to extend if things don't go as planned.

scampi710 · Oct 2, 2005

Hi guys and gals,
I have a question. I am going to graduate with an ADN in December, (hopefully), and have already secured a job in transplantation. It also has med/surg overflow. I am going to meet with both managers of the unit and the unit nurse educator to discuss "what I need".
The problem is I don't know what I need :rotfl: I have done about 8 12 hour shifts there as an LPN extern (but I have never worked as an LPN - just school straight through). I am pretty familiar with all the meds. I know they will pay me to go to a Kaplan review which I intend to take advantage of. How long is the average orientation to med/surg? I am afraid to say I need 6 weeks if that is more than average. What is the average orientation? I also need to learn to do peritoneal dialysis and maybe hemodialysis.
I am having problems getting my hours in as an extern during this last semester of school, so don't tell me to get more hours as an extern please. School is my major focus now! I just don't want to appear too stupid when I tell the nurse educator what I need!
Thanks a bunch,
Lu Ann

Hi Lu Ann You are going to be a new RN. It is great that you are an LVN now, but do not have the expectation that is the same. Do not be hesitant about telling your new supervisors that you need six weeks. In fact, if you can get everything down in only six weeks that will be remarkable. There is a lot of physiology, labs, anatomy, meds/reactions, that you are going to need to put together. Good Luck

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Oct 3, 2005

Hi guys and gals,
I have a question. I am going to graduate with an ADN in December, (hopefully), and have already secured a job in transplantation. It also has med/surg overflow. I am going to meet with both managers of the unit and the unit nurse educator to discuss "what I need".
The problem is I don't know what I need :rotfl: I have done about 8 12 hour shifts there as an LPN extern (but I have never worked as an LPN - just school straight through). I am pretty familiar with all the meds. I know they will pay me to go to a Kaplan review which I intend to take advantage of. How long is the average orientation to med/surg? I am afraid to say I need 6 weeks if that is more than average. What is the average orientation? I also need to learn to do peritoneal dialysis and maybe hemodialysis.
I am having problems getting my hours in as an extern during this last semester of school, so don't tell me to get more hours as an extern please. School is my major focus now! I just don't want to appear too stupid when I tell the nurse educator what I need!
Thanks a bunch,
Lu Ann

Hi Lu Ann. I just graduated this past May with my BSN & I started my very first RN job (med/surg/tele) in July & right now I'm on week 11 of my orientation. I still will have one more week after this one left in my orientation.I would say take as long of an orientation as they will give you! The more time you have to get used to everything, the better. After 11 weeks I am still learning all the time (although I feel a lot more confident now than when I just started). Have fun & best wishes to you! :)

-Christine