Standard Orientation vs Internship

[Mommy TeleRN]

Well I have an interesting dilemma.

Hospital offers two options:

Standard 90 day orienation, strictly with preceptor (although online education materials are available to learn more on your own

Or

9 month internship program, with classroom time, time spent in other departments and other areas such as cath lab, surgery, etc to learn how whole hospital runs, lots of online classes that you can do at the hospital on the clock, focuses on various body systems and disease integration that they correlate with the preceptor to try and get you a pt with that disease process so you can apply the focused topic, etc.

The only catch is the standard orientation requires no contract. The fancy internship requires a 2 yr committment (don't yet know the penalty..will find that out tomorrow when I meet with HR) I already work on the floor and like it, but I do worry about losing future bargaining power.

I also have to find out if the payscale is any different for the 2 options. I was quoted a payrate but at the time HR said they assumed the standard orientation. I would hope the pay isn't any different but I will have to find that out.

Any thoughts on which option to take?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I wonder if this is a new trend with these internships? I guess it's better than the hospitals that orient you for 6-8 weeks and expect you to be ready to take a full pt load by yourself (yikes..that is WAY scary to me! lol)

I think this is a new trend -- particularly for the most extensive internships. Hospitals have been burned by too many nurses wanting extensive training programs, but who have no intention of working for the hospital for more than a year.

[bigsyis]

Take the 9 month. You will learn as much during that time (or more!) as you would in a couple of years in one place. Do it, do it, do it, and be thankful that they are willing to pay you for that kind of exposure!