Orientation as a NEW Grad how long?

NursKris82 · Feb 13, 2009

4 weeks is NOT enough for a new grad. I just got hired as a new grad on a medical- surgical floor, primarily surgical and ortho. My orientation is a total of 12 weeks including class time. Short staffing is their problem and not yours and it will continue if they force new grads on the floor before there time. Not cool!!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

What type of facility are we talking? For hospital, I agree, 2-3 months at least should be expected. Even more if you are going to the ICU or somewhere specialized.

Fiona59 · Feb 13, 2009

I guess the difference is in the education. Up here in Canada. You get one week's facility orientation (paperwork, Smart Pumps, dressing procedure/products) and then five buddied shifts on your unit. Yes, FIVE shifts.

Orientation is to learn the facilities routine, not a time to hone the craft. That's what the final clinical one-on-one preceptorship is for.

Only specialties such as ER, OR, ICU offer longer mentorships

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Fiona: That's an interesting difference that you point out. Do you mean to say that in ten days' worth of work, you've been introduced to every piece of equipment and procedure that you'll be commonly expected to be able to handle? That seems pretty staggering to me, unless you spend those ten days exclusively on learning technical skills.

OP: I agree with previous comments that one month (or less!) is way too short for a new grad. After you're off orientation, you're supposed to be able to function as a reasonably independent practitioner, and your hospital expects you to be able to pick that up in four weeks? Not possible.

I just started a new grad residency in a level III NICU, and my orientation is 16 weeks, with (I think) eight unit-specific didactic classes. I'll be on probation for six months total, as long as I get all my orientation stuff done and my six-month evaluation is good. The new grad program itself lasts for a year; all the new grads in my cohort, from all the different units, meet around every other month, until the program wraps up with some sort of project next March.

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

I got 8 weeks on the floor with a preceptor, at first it didn't sound like enough but it ended up being okay because I work with a very supportive staff and you aren't expected to know everything after 8 weeks, just enough to handle your assignment safely. Four weeks is not enough.

Also, what kind of floor is it? I'd imagine if it was a critical care area of any sort, it would be much longer than 4 weeks but this hospital sounds like it doesn't really care about its staff, especially new grads

lpnflorida · Feb 13, 2009

We give 90 days orientation for all staff, this can if need be requested to go an additional 90 days if the individual person needs it. Some new staff feel as if they have failed if we have requested they extend their orientation. We go to great lengths to make them understand it is for their benefit that they have extra time. No two people learn at the same rate of time.

We do all we can to make sure that our new people are under our wings as needed. I have not yet witnessed anyone needing longer than this time. New grads in addition are not allowed to float outside of our unit for the first year. Again this is to help them.

Scrubby · Feb 13, 2009

In Australia most grads do a graduate nurse program (GNP) This is a program where as a new RN you have additional support for one year, you usually do 2 or 3 or more rotations in different specialty areas and you have GNP support staff who look after you. You have to do at least one medical or surgical rotation during this year and you usually get to choose a specialty area.

Anyausa · Feb 13, 2009

sorry guys..i have not very smart i quess question..This orientation program..do you get paid for it or you work for free as a part of your education?

I am foreign nurse before all this process and have no clue about it..

thanks!

rach2103 · Feb 13, 2009

I started on a general surgical unit in June after graduating in May. I had 1 week of clinical classroom orientation and then 6 weeks one on one orientation on the floor with a preceptor. I thought it was perfect for me, but another new grad took 8 weeks. So we were lucky because they were very flexible. I would refuse to work at a place that only offers 4 weeks or less. Its your license you have to protect!!!

lpnflorida · Feb 13, 2009

sorry guys..i have not very smart i quess question..This orientation program..do you get paid for it or you work for free as a part of your education?
I am foreign nurse before all this process and have no clue about it..Quote)
Yes, everyone receives a salary while on orientation. The only things which might have to wait is example health care benefits. Often time it is not unusual for benefits not to start until ones 90 day orientation period is up.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 13, 2009

At my organization, we customize orientation based on a standardized assessment of clinical comptency. Most new graduates have a 12 week orientation working alongside a preceptor - with particular focus on any 'gaps' that were identified. At the end of the orientation/development period, we re-assess to make sure that the orientation was effective. However, the process is goal-oriented rather than adhering to a specific time period. some new grads meet all their comptency goals and go off orientation. If someone meets all their goals in less time, they can go off orientation earlier.