Orientation time?

[nursing9462]

How many shifts is normal for a new specialty orientation? (Not a new grad.)

[Sour Lemon]

There's quite a bit of variation. When I moved from med/surg to behavioral health, they "forgot" I was on orientation by the second shift. Moving med/surg to a different med/surg, I got about four shifts ...other experienced nurses got more time.

How much time and effort you need to become competent is probably a huge factor. Med/surg to behavioral health is a much easier and faster transition than SNF to NICU.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

We cannot answer that question, until we know what your experience is, and what specialty you are moving to.

[nursing9462]

13 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

We cannot answer that question, until we know what your experience is, and what specialty you are moving to.

Stepdown x a few years to postpartum.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Postpartum should mostly  be a lot of teaching . I was a stepdown nurse for many years. I think I would be satisfied with two weeks. Best of luck, sounds like a good move.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Our orientation is 30 shifts plus about 2 weeks of in class and some other education days mixed in (NICU)

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

I had 20 weeks in a peds ED as a new grad. Where I work now the new grads are on a 6 month orientation, also peds ED. I recently considered a job in the OR and for a circulating nurse, experience or no, I was told the orientation was a year.

The length will vary a ton by facility. 

Sorry, I misread. We give our transfers a 10-12 week orientation here.