Very little orientation for new grad?

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So after months and months of applying, I have finally received a job offer for a med-surg RN position at a small community hospital. I would be over the moon if they hadn't told me they only offer 2-3 weeks of training. It seems standard to have at least 8 for a new grad brand new to the hospital, yes? I have never worked in healthcare or at a hospital as an aide or tech.....student clinical experience only. I've never had any type of IV training :(

During the interview, I asked about the orientation/training. She said "to be honest, it's not very good", but that they would only stick me with 3 patients instead of the normal 5 for awhile.

I don't know if I should take it and hope for the best or try to wait for a job with better training?

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What state are you located in? That training does not sound safe at all. Either the patient care is going to suffer, some thing dangerous is going to happen, or worst of all you might end up putting your license on the line.

And the fact the manager said:"its not very good" would have me running for the hills. Its up to you but just make sure your patient safety is your main priority. Keep searching. Someone wants you. Don't settle. Stay optimistic and that door will open up soon enough.

Best of luck with your decision!

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This particular job is in Oklahoma. I'm licensed in Oklahoma, California, Texas, and Kentucky! Silly, but I wanted to increase my chances of getting picked up in more than one state. (Grew up in Oklahoma/have family there, have lived in California for many years and am currently located there, want to live in Texas, went to nursing school in Kentucky.....if you are wondering why those particular states lol)

I participated in the Nursing Scholarship Program. They paid for my schooling and in return, I have to work 2 years in an "underserved" area. They count pretty much any hospital as being "underserved" though. I have applied for an extension, but my deadline for finding a job is supposed to be in 2 weeks. I may have to end up settling....but I'm thinking LTC would be better than a hospital job with poor training?

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I wouldn't turn them down quite yet, I graduated in December, and am having issues with hospitals who require 1 year or more experience, so I'd make sure you have somewhere to go before turning them down.

Not sure about there, but where I did my student clinical rotations, I usually saw that there's some safety net in place for newer nurses in case they don't know what to do, and they'd ask other nurses or the charge nurse if they were unsure about something, and worse case scenario with a patient a rapid response team (the team you call before a code becomes a code). Maybe some other options there to help you gain confidence and get going to gain that crucial experience.

Either way good luck.

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LTC "could" be worse... some only provide you with less than week of orientation. So maybe find out more about those LTC facility first before turning down on the hospital job. Honestly, if I was in your position with less than 2 weeks left to find a job, I would probably take the hospital job first. I just want to mention, if the orientation is inadequate, please be the agent of change. Make suggestions, and talk to higher ups. Maybe you could even be the person that makes a difference. Majority of the time people dont even think of speaking up or making changes b/c it's too much hassle. Think of yourself as an advocate for the patients and for yourself as well as the rest of the new hires. Anyways... just some ideas.

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Since you are down to the wire on your scholarship requirement, take it.

LTC will break a new grad. If you don't want 5 patients, you REALLY don't want 25!

Make sure you get the 3 weeks, whatever THAT takes.

Keep a journal, write down what you learned, and any questions from the shift.

In week 2, start being proactive on your learning needs.If they have IV team, spend a day with them, if not..let your preceptor know you have to learn IV insertion .. stat.

Good luck, keep us posted.

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I recently stared working as a new grad at a large rehabilitation hospital, they require 3 month's worth of training - one month during day shift, one during 3-11 and one overnight. I have 2 weeks to go and can't wait to be on my own.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I got the standard 8 weeks. By week 5 I was restless and ready to start trying it on my own. We have a ratio of 4:1, ICU Stepdown.

Just learn everything you can and realize that once you are off orientation that doesn't mean your right or ability to ask questions suddenly goes away. Everyone still knows you are new. I have no shortage of people I can go to when I am needing to clarify my thought process or get information.

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I took a gamble and turned the job down over the weekend. Luckily, I was offered a job today at a different hospital that offers 12 weeks with a preceptor plus classroom training time (residency). Yay!

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