Orientation?

[Keila]

Hi everyone...

I'm a 3rd semester student starting to look at potential employers. In my local hospital, there are roughly 80-90 deliveries/month (1000/yr). I was on the OB floor today to participate in a fetal monitoring class and was asking one of the more seasoned nurses some questions about the unit. When I asked her about orientation for new nurses, she said she believed orientation lasted 6 weeks.

I would (hopefully!) be going into OB as a new grad, with no medical experience other than clinicals/externship. I know there are several variables to consider when it comes to orientation, but is 6 weeks enough?

I just thought it sounded very brief and was wanting some input. Thanks!

[klone, MSN, RN]

For a new grad, I would expect at least 3 months of orientation. Some are even longer. At the hospital I worked at as a new grad, orientation was typically 4-6 months.

[GM2RN]

For a new grad, I would expect at least 3 months of orientation. Some are even longer. At the hospital I worked at as a new grad, orientation was typically 4-6 months.

I would agree with this. Although the length of orientation will vary depending on the hospital and the unit you are seeking to go to, six weeks is short for most units let alone OB, which is typically longer than some other areas.

[SCgirl22]

Six weeks for a new grad, particularly in a high risk/specialty area like L&D, is definitely not enough in my opinion...I got 3 months on orientation (and this was not even specialty- i worked gen med). Even after I was alone, I was still scheduled to work the same shifts as my preceptor for a while so she could provide me with guidance if questions and problems came up.

Of course, it never hurts to apply for the job. If you get it, then you can always negotiate for a longer orientation. I wouldn't think nurse managers would want a new nurse on their own if they weren't ready. Good luck! :)

[Keila]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm kind of hoping the nurse I spoke to just got mixed up... (and thanks, SCgirl, I never thought about trying to negotiate for a longer orientation if I'm employed there!)

[jorjaRN]

Although I agree that six weeks probably isn't enough, it's what I got as a new grad. I did start on med-surg (and I know it's the same for other floors at my hospital), so I'm not sure if that's the norm for specialty areas.

Many hospitals have new grad orientation programs, which are different than regular orientation in that they last longer, and are more focused on transitioning from school to real world. In the past, this was the primary way new grads got to start in specialty areas. Unfortunately, a lot of hospitals have either been cutting way back on the number of people they accept to these programs or cut them completely in response to the economy in the past several years.

I was fortunate, and got a great orientation with the six weeks that I had, and was assured that I could have extended my orinentation if I felt it was necessary. I still ask LOTS of questions of those around, and am lucky enough to work with a great team who never mind helping me out.

The advice I would offer is; if you do end up in a specialty area (which is pretty difficult, though not impossible) out of school that isn't associated with a new-grad program, ask when you are interviewed about their policy for extending orientation if necessary. Any place worth working for won't force you to be on your own before you feel ready. A little anxiety is normal, feeling totally unprepared and overwhelmed is not.

Good Luck!

[LDRPNurse7]

I just got hired as a new grad and my orientation is 6 monthes.

[schack]

I have been a nurse for 2 years. I started in Med/surg/tele. were I had 4 weeks orientation.... Left in January for an OB position at another hospital and I am working on 6 months of orientation. I am orienting to L&D, PP, Nursery and Outpt/triage- were a small unit- and I wouldn't even consider less time on orientation. I think as a brand new grad you have to learn all of your basic time management skills and ability to interact with multiple physicians and ancillary staff as well as learn the OB part.... that is a lot. My advice is make sure you are comfortable- it's your license on the line. Good luck to you!

[Keila]

Thank you all, and schack, I totally agree about learning the basics. That was what kind of worried me with a six week orientation... not only would I be learning my way around the specialty, but also trying to find my 'groove' working in health care for the first time ever.

I'm starting my externship on the same hospital's med-surg floors in a couple of weeks. I'm really going to focus on things like time management, and just orienting myself to the medical field. I won't be doing many 'nurse' things -- I'll be practicing more in the scope of a CNA, and I really think it will be a nice intro to how everything works.

Again, thank you guys for all of the responses! :)

[LDRNMOMMY, BSN, RN]

No, it is not nearly enough! It is what I had as a new grad in L&D. The unit was incredibly short staffed and that year the NM hired 4 new grads and we all got 6 weeks of orientation. However, for our first year we had "resource" people assigned to us for the shift who were there to help us out and we could go to with questions. I was a meek little mouse when I graduated nursing school 5 years ago and did not speak up. Thankfully, I am not that way anymore! :) The length of orientation d/t short staffing should have been a HUGE red flag to me. But I was so thrilled that I was hired in L&D, which was my dream job it clouded my judgement a little bit.

[SchiwartRN]

I've been at my job in L&D for just over 90 days now and I got 12 weeks of orientation...6 weeks on days and then 6 weeks on nights, then my regular shift is on nights.

[Keila]

Just thought I'd pop back in and let everyone know... the nurse I talked to was mistaken. It is 12 weeks of orientation, with additional if you request it. (Whew! I was kind of worried about only having six weeks!)

Thanks again for the replies, everyone! :)