Orientation for newly licensed nurses

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I’m just wondering what the orientation phase has looked like for newly licensed nurses at new jobs and how long had it typically been? Also curious what kinds of jobs newly licensed lpns’s have taken. 

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Specializes in New Grad.

HI!!

Really depends on where you are. I recently got my first job at a snf and orientation has been 3 weeks, but it's because they are training me for three different roles (treatment, case management, and meds). my classmates who work at snfs say theres were 4-6 days. so I'd say the average is about a week. a few other classmates have also gotten jobs at assisted living facilities, kaiser flu clinic, SNF, mental health urgent cares, and urgent cares.

hope this helps 

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Specializes in acute care-step down/rehab.

Greetings,

I work for the Veterans Health Administration and our new nurses have 6 weeks of orientation, If you do not feel ready after that you can get extended for as long as you need.

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Thanks for the replies. I have about two weeks left of my program and I’m finishing up preceptorship in a nursing that’s very understaffed. It made me a little nervous to see one nurse to thirty patients because I’m so slow with things right now and I’m afraid I’m going to make a mistake with that many people. 

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Specializes in New Grad.

I can tell you one thing for sure... take it from a fellow new grad.... YOU WILL BE SLOW, YOU WILL FEEL OVERWHELMED, YOU'LL MAKE A MISTAKE AT SOME POINT, YOU MAY QUESTION LIFE AFTER YOUR FIRST MED PASS (okay the last one is dramatic) but it's really going to be okay. You'll be slow, but as you get to know your patients etc, you'll get faster. learn from others, ask questions and do what helps you get into a groove. School is ALOT different from actually working as a nurse. A healthy dose of fear and nervousness isn't necessarily bad because it motivates you to be safe. My coworker said the new grads she is scared of are the overconfident ones that aren't really nervous because they tend to make a ton of mistakes (and more serious ones at that). School is a lot different from working, but school teaches you how to not kill anyone and the basics of being safe and NCLEX makes sure to have the head knowledge and common sense not to hurt someone. if you can survive these two test, and diligently do what's evidence-based best practice, you'll be a great nurse!

sorry for this long post/rant!

you got this!!

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