18 shifts enough for Tele Orientation?

TheNGTKingRN · Aug 30, 2015

Typical orientation is 12 weeks. Average hospitals work their nurses 3 times a week or a total of 6 in 2 weeks. So 12 weeks Ã— 3 days per week is the least orientation for ANY unit.

36 shifts is the typical amount.

I definitely do not think it's enough. Not for me at least, not if I was in your shoes.

SarahMaria, MSN, RN · Aug 30, 2015

At my facility, we had 10 shifts for orientation.

RescueNinjaKy · Aug 30, 2015

At my unit, cardiac progressive care, I had 15 shifts of orientation on the floor with a preceptor as a new grad. We also have monthly residency meetings as new grads, and a bunch of education classes that we need to take, including ekg interpretation, 12 lead interpretation class, vent and bipap class, acls, etc.

Our ratios are 4 for day shift and 5 for nights. After coming off orientation I had a lot of jitters and was pretty nervous about being on my own, but honestly they take that into consideration while doing assignments. They had the amount of days I was off orientation listed next to my name so that when charge made assignments they wouldn't overwhelm me with the super complicated cases.

For the most part I'm doing fine on my own but really just need some confidence in myself. And the people at my unit are super nice, helpful, and knowledgable. I never hesitate to ask them any questions or to have one of them take a look at my patient if I'm unsure of something. They don't judge nor give any indication that they think any less of me for my questions.

I think that that is the most important aspect for new grads. To have that environment that promotes a safe and judgement free learning environment. If you feel that you cannot ask questions then you might have reevaluate why that is. Like if it's a personal problem where you're afraid of being judged or if it's the unit that makes a hostile environment for learning.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Aug 30, 2015

When I worked tele as a new grad they only gave me 8 weeks and I had different preceptors. Luckily the staff I had the pleasure of working with were all very supportive so it worked out. I also did a lot of studying on my off time. I still do even to this day!

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Aug 30, 2015

My med surg orientation was 6 weeks, my ICU orientation was 4 months.

FloatRN19 · Aug 30, 2015

As a new grad I had 24 shifts of orientation. Which included medonc/ortho/trauma/cardiac/step down/ and the icu in which I was vent trained. 18 for one unit is more than enough. And at 18 if you feel uncomfortable ask for a few more shifts.