Training/Supervision: What can I demand?

[Apedro]

Hi all,

I've finally got a start date (Thursday) for my first job as an RN at a LTC facility. I've been told I will eventually be the only RN in the building on the night/weekend shift. I am under the impression that my training/supervisory time will be less than 1 month. I was very excited to get a job offer, it's the only I've gotten so far, but I think I remember HR saying my training would only be "a couple of days". I hope that I was so excited that I heard wrong or that HR was talking about a different position (staff nurse/LVN vs. nurse manager/RN).

Any way HouTx posted this link

http://www.bon.texas.gov/practice/grads.html

It states guidance for employers of newly licensed LVNs/RNs. Specifically, "Once licensed, direct supervision should be continued for a period of six months, or a lesser time period if agreed upon by the newly licensed nurse and the supervising nurse. Competence to perform independently should be mutually determined by the new graduate and the supervising nurse and should be demonstrated and supported by documentation."

Based on this, how much time is too little time? What if they tell me I will get 1 month of supervision? May I demand more time or do I just suck it up? Is 1 month, 2 months, or 3 months enough training/supervision for a new grad RN in LTC?

Also, I think the demonstration and documentation of competence is more important. Anyone working in LTC know how this is done? The only job experience I have is military and I'm used to monthly performance counselings? What kind of "counseling" can I expect in LTC?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Well, first of all, you are setting yourself up for an adversarial relationship with your new employer by using the word 'demand'. You are not in a position to 'demand' anything. Request? Sure! Demand? Not so much!

Why not give it a week or so to see just what the job entails before deciding that you need six months (or whatever). Six months of orientation in LTC is going to be a deal-breaker, no LTC I know of has the resources to train someone for that period of time.

I wish you well.

[Apedro]

Thanks meanmaryjean, :) You're right I don't want to be at odds with my employer. I suppose I should let them train me, and if at the end of the training I feel I need more time I should "request" it then. :)

[plinytheRN]

6 months is a lot of training, I would expect that maybe for an ICU or PACU area for a new grad. The fact is many places want to give the minimum amount of training and get you going on your own ASAP mainly for $$ reasons. I have seen avg of 6-8 weeks for acute hospital floor jobs for new grads. Not too sure about LTC, but I have heard they usually only have a couple days training.