Orientation

Depends on the facility.

Also depends on the job!

Also depends on what part of the orientation you're referring to. For me it was 8 hours days the first week, when we did all the HR and Nursing department stuff (videos, guest speakers, etc.) After that it's 8 weeks on the floor with a preceptor, shift is a normal working shift which happens to be 12 hours on my unit. Talk to your hiring manager at the end of the interview, they should tell you what the orientation is like before you accept an offer. If you have already accepted a position, call your HR person and ask!

I worked whatever my preceptor's schedule was. It was 2 8's and 2 12's.

But when asked for feedback I stated since I was a new grad it would have been in my best interest to have just 8's at first then go into 12's.

As a new grad it would burn me out by the time 3pm hit. The last 4 hours seemed like an brain overload. Manager and preceptor agreed.

Then again if you have the same preceptor the entire time they may not be able to work just 8's. I found it helpful to have an occasional different preceptor in order to establish different perspectives.

I did not like the idea of being just 8's the entire time because after orientation I would be doing 12's and needed time to adjust before letting me on my own.

A mix would be best.

The same orientation may not work for everyone.