orientation

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How many patients do you think is appropriate for a new RN to take during orientation? How long does orientation last at your facility? How many after changing to a different shift during orientation? I am curious :)

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My orientation was eight weeks long. Three on 1st shift and five on 2nd shift, which is the shift I work now. I started by following my preceptor and "helping" for about three days. Then I took about two pt's and "helped with the rest. By the third week I had the full load (6pts) with my preceptor "helping" me. When I went to 2nd shift, the process started over, but I had the whole team much sooner. I was also given the option of a ninth week. I can't remember if I took it. Probably not, but I should have (name one other time in a nurse's career when he or she has another nurse there for the sole purpose of helping that nurse?!)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
How many patients do you think is appropriate for a new RN to take during orientation? How long does orientation last at your facility? How many after changing to a different shift during orientation? I am curious :)

It should be nurse-specific. Different new grads come out with different strengths and weaknesses. You should start out with only a couple, helping out the preceptor with the other patients prn. Theen by the last week or two you should be taking an entire assignment with the preceptor right by your side.

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nurse specific and unit specific.

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