Inquisitive2

Hi, thank you for your time. I am trying to put nursing orientation expectations into perspective and make some important life decisions. I have been a registered nurse since 1982. I successfully consistently worked in Level 3 NICU through 1995 (12+ years) and enjoyed doing charge, transport, ECMO, etc., then I completed my BSN in 1999. For the next few years (during the new millenium) I simply volunteered as the elementary school nurse on a regular basis for approximately 650 students and staff. Now that my four kids are grown and I am divorced, I am returning to the workforce. To make myself more marketable, I successfully completed an state approved RN Refresher Course and numerous nursing certifications. Three weeks ago I began working in a Level 3 NICU and was told that I'd be on orientation for an unspecified number of weeks. The first week I completed general hospital orientation. Then once I arrived in NICU, from Day One I was required to actively scrub in for high risk deliveries, and since that time I average scrubbing in for approximately 2 high-risk deliveries per shift. Additionally, I'm already expected to take a full Level 3 NICU assignment at the same time. When I initially interviewed I made it clear that I had not worked in NICU for a number of years. My employment dates were clearly stated on my resume. I let my interviewers know that I would need computer charting training, current equipment training, and time to complete policies and procedures, etc. Here is my dilemma. Every single shift I have mentioned to whatever preceptor I happen to have for the day that, in addition to patient care (with which I feel comfortable), I need some time to address these other aspects of care so that I can become more proficient. The only response I get is that I need to take yet more patients (I already take 3 at a time) for effective time management. My response is that if you want me to become more proficient then give me computer training so I don't hunt and peck, let me train on the equipment so I'm not attempting to figure it out on a patient while working at the speed of a full assignment, and let me familiarize myself with policies so that I know I'm functioning within my scope of practice. Furthermore, give me time to learn where things are kept so I don't randomly scan the supplies hoping to stumble across the necessary items. I'm so busy that I don't even have time to ask questions. Besides my regular preceptor leaves me to flounder on my own while she goes to the back office to work on protocols. So, there's no one to ask anyhow. I spend much time away from work boning up on policies, etc. because I want to do a good job! I hesitated to go up the chain of command, saying too much, and risk being the "squeaky wheel." However, when the manager asked me how orientation was going I remained objective and stated the facts. Today I went to the NICU educator, and let her know how I was spending my time and my concerns. To date the only interaction I have had with the NICU educator is that she handed me a DVD to watch relative to the NICU communication system. This same educator stated that for the first time, the NICU has decided not to offer NICU specific orientation to the two of us that hired into the unit. Instead we are essentially their guinea pigs seeing if we can simply learn as we go while taking assignments. So, my question is, "What defines orientation?" Is No Orientation the New Orientation? When I think back to my early days when I first started in NICU, I was successful because I got great training. Since I was a rookie, they could have blown me out of the water from Day One. However, I succeeded, thrived, and LOVED my job in a fast-paced environment because they took the time to train me. Now I wonder, has general nursing orientation fundamentally changed and this is the new norm generally speaking, or should I be rethinking my situation? I would be extremely appreciative of your thoughts. Thank you!