orientation

Crawsu · Sep 9, 2000

Originally posted by Gene J:
To the experienced correctional nurses: I JUST started at a correctional unit. It seems to be severely understaffed. Orientation is going to be a catch-as-catch-can. Not an encouraging start, esp. in light of the latest RNWeekly article re legal problems for "messing up". W/o proper orientation, one is "set up" for problems.
Input please!!

Glad to hear your giving corrections a try. We are desperate for nurses. I don't think it's right to expect someone to orient to this type of job without at least six weeks of training on the job. You should not be counted as staff during this time. There is simply too much to learn and you need the input that you will get from experienced staff. Unfortunately, the reality is that we are incredibly understaffed in this field, as in every other healthcare field, and orientees are usually pushed to do more on their own than they should be expected to do. Stick to your guns, and don't do anything alone until you feel comfortable with it, after all it's your license! This is the time to make sure you understand how things work. Take advantage of it, and don't let them get away with short-changing you on you orientation. Best of luck, and please give it at least 6mos. before you decide it's not for you.

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Gene J · Sep 9, 2000

Originally posted by Crawsu:

Originally posted by Gene J:
To the experienced correctional nurses: I JUST started at a correctional unit. It seems to be severely understaffed. Orientation is going to be a catch-as-catch-can. Not an encouraging start, esp. in light of the latest RNWeekly article re legal problems for "messing up". W/o proper orientation, one is "set up" for problems.
Input please!!
Glad to hear your giving corrections a try. We are desperate for nurses. I don't think it's right to expect someone to orient to this type of job without at least six weeks of training on the job. You should not be counted as staff during this time. There is simply too much to learn and you need the input that you will get from experienced staff. Unfortunately, the reality is that we are incredibly understaffed in this field, as in every other healthcare field, and orientees are usually pushed to do more on their own than they should be expected to do. Stick to your guns, and don't do anything alone until you feel comfortable with it, after all it's your license! This is the time to make sure you understand how things work. Take advantage of it, and don't let them get away with short-changing you on you orientation. Best of luck, and please give it at least 6mos. before you decide it's not for you.

Thank you for your quick response and your wise advice. It'd be nice to see more posts here! I'm also being coached by a former Corrections Nurse. She thinks I ought to change sites to get a better orientation. I agree with you re standing firm against being left out on a limb in this type of environment, esp. with the constant warnings to not allow the inmates to manipulate a situation to their favor.

PINKYE1 · Sep 22, 2000

I agree. I've been in the system 2 years and we are also understaffed, foreced to do overtime and have skimpy orientation. I sympathize with you, but encourage you to hang in there, it'll get better. Follow you intuition, remember your training and protech your license. No one helped you get it, don't allow anyone to lose it for you!!!

PINKYE1 · Sep 22, 2000

I agree. I've been in the system 2 years and we are also understaffed, forced to do overtime and have skimpy orientation. I sympathize with you, but encourage you to hang in there, it'll get better. Follow you intuition, remember your training and protect your license. No one helped you get it, don't allow anyone to lose it for you!!!