Orientation time

[nursekatie22, RN]

Quick question.....I just started my job four weeks ago and the whole first week was in a classroom watching infection control videos, taking little tests, etc.

The next three weeks were as follows: week one, I worked Monday through Friday, with Monday being mostly observation, "treasure hunting", etc.

The next week, I had my boards on Tuesday, so I didn't work Monday or Tuesday, and Wednesday was 4th of July so my boss didn't want orientees getting holiday pay (which I understand) so I didn't work that day either. So I only worked Thursday and Friday of that week.

This past week, I had a class all day Monday and worked Tuesday through Friday.

All told, I've only worked 12 days on the floor and my boss has me on orientation for the next 5 shifts and that's IT!!! Plus, the next five days of orientation are on the shift I'll actually be working (nocs), so it's different from what I've been doing on days.

I'm just worried that I'm not getting enough and how to go about asking for more orientations shifts. Of course I'll see how I feel after this 5 day period, but I don't think 17 days of orientation is enough for a new grad. Am I way off base?:uhoh21:

[tx2007, RN]

WOW I have been on orientation since May 21st and this is FINALLY my last week on days I too am going to Noc shift but even next week when I switch to night shift I will still be on orientation for another month or two. I am on a ortho/neuro floor. I would talk to the charge nurse or nurse manager and let them know you want more orientation. Good Luck!

[nursekatie22, RN]

:oI thought that was a little fast! Some of the girls I was in orientation with are already on their own, but they had all their clinicals at this hospital so they're familiar with everyone/everything already and only needed a little bit of help with some little stuff.

How many days a week do you work?

[nursekatie22, RN]

*bump*

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I received 8 hours of orientation on my first nursing job ever. That's 8 hours, not 8 days! After this 8 hour oreintation period, I was cut loose to work on my own and fend for myself. It was either 'sink' or 'swim.'

If you feel uncomfortable and need more time to become oriented, then feel free to request more orientation time. However, be advised that the vast majority of your learning will be accrued through on-the-job work experiences. Just because you are no longer orienting, it does not mean that you are to suddenly stop asking questions. I have been practicing for 1.5 years, and I still ask questions when I am unsure of the correct way to carry out some task.

Nursing is a lifelong process of learning, so continue to enrich your knowledge base with questions and curiosity. In nursing, a lack of curiosity will kill the cat! Good luck, and always garner a second opinion if something causes you to feel leery. With time and grace, it will all come together! :)