6-Week VS. 18-Week New Grad RN Training

ukstudent · Jan 1, 2008

Would need more information. What type of job offers are they? 6 weeks to go into the ER is not enough but maybe ok for med/surg. Then again do those weeks count any class room time or only clinical time. If the 6 week one does not include class room time but the 18 week one does then they become closer.

I will say that becoming a nurse, especially those first few months are stressful enough without having to move, but plenty of new nurses do it.

nurseJ88 · Jan 1, 2008

Would need more information. What type of job offers are they? 6 weeks to go into the ER is not enough but maybe ok for med/surg. Then again do those weeks count any class room time or only clinical time. If the 6 week one does not include class room time but the 18 week one does then they become closer.
I will say that becoming a nurse, especially those first few months are stressful enough without having to move, but plenty of new nurses do it.

Job Offer A:

-Med/Surg Telemetry

-Actually, the manager stated that there are 10 8-hr shifts before I will be on my

own!!

Job Offer B:

-General Med/Surg

-This 18-Week RN Residency is via the Versant Program, which has gained

recognition for new graduate competence and retention. Approximately 4 weeks

of class instruction.

Please help!

BebobthefrogFNP · Jan 1, 2008

I think that option B is better. You should ask if they provide a NCLEX study program or not. I'm a senior nursing student that will graduate in May and I'd chose option B if I was in your shoes. Congrats on graduating and for the job offers. Did you apply or did the hospital find you?

ukstudent · Jan 1, 2008

Job Offer A:
-Med/Surg Telemetry
-Actually, the manager stated that there are 10 8-hr shifts before I will be on my
own!!
Job Offer B:
-General Med/Surg
-This 18-Week RN Residency is via the Versant Program, which has gained
recognition for new graduate competence and retention. Approximately 4 weeks
of class instruction.
Please help!

Job A, 40 Hr weeks = 5 x 8hrs per week. 10 shifts = 2 weeks. Run away from this one. 2 weeks of clinical time before being on your own is not safe for med/surg let alone with telemetry. Med-surg is a specialty in it's own right. It takes time before you can prioritize 4-6-8 pts.

Did either place tell you the normal nurse to pt ratio?

On the limited information that I have I would go with job B. Learn your trade. If you have family near the other job, you can always change after a year or two, to be near family again.

However, only you know yourself and how well you deal with change and moving along with a new job is a big change. You will see many posts by new grads that have moved for their first job and get homesick.

nurseJ88 · Jan 1, 2008

I think that option B is better. You should ask if they provide a NCLEX study program or not. I'm a senior nursing student that will graduate in May and I'd chose option B if I was in your shoes. Congrats on graduating and for the job offers. Did you apply or did the hospital find you?

Thank you bebobthefrog85 for your advice. Actually, I already passed the NCLEX-RN and got my CA license. But thank you for the NCLEX advice.

It is nice to hear your opinion, particularly you are/ will be a new grad RN like me.

I did apply to these hospitals.

Again, thank you and congratulations to you.

nurseJ88 · Jan 1, 2008

job a:

-4:1 ratio in telemetry

-this hospital is one of the high-paying hmo hospitals in ca. they also provide

good benefits. i am surprised that their orientation program in telemetry will

only provide 10 8-hr shifts of clinical training (paid). preceptors are included, of

course. acls and bcm (basic cardiac monitoring) classes are included in the

6 weeks!

job b:

-5:1 ratio in general med/surg

-this hospital is also well-established, yet not as big as job a. they have good

pay and benefits. their orientation program goes beyond the usual 'traditional'

orientation (paid). preceptors, mentors, and counselors are included in the

program. acls and bcm are not required on this floor.

on the limited information that i have i would go with job b. learn your trade. if you have family near the other job, you can always change after a year or two, to be near family again.

my family, of course, votes for job a that has $10,000/yr difference and 1 hr drive distance difference from job b. but i agree with you that i need to "learn my trade...." i can always go back to my hometown, but i only have one time to be a new grad.... the quality of my training in my first rn job is the priority at this time.

jjjoy, LPN · Jan 2, 2008

Some other food for thought... have you had the opportunity to tour the floors you are considering? Meet some of the people you'd be working with, get a glimpse of the "vibe" of the floor, drop by for both day and night shifts...?? How about the opportunity to meet some working new grads who went orientation at that facility? Having that opportunity might also help nail the decision.

As others have noted, the training for option A for a new grad does come across as rather sporifice.

All the best with whatever new job you end up with!

Megsd, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2008

I would go with Job B, even though it's further away. I am starting a 20 week RN internship program (PLUS floor orientation after that) because of its reputation to increase RN retention and job satisfaction, as opposed to an 8-12 week orientation on a floor. Extra money is nice, but if you're miserable and wind up with a terrible first experience, then what good did it do you, you know?

Good luck with your decision!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 3, 2008

Option B looks good on paper, make sure it's good in real life as well.

Only you can decide the money and moving factor. It could be a major stressor in your life that you don't need right now or it might not be a big deal for you.

How well do you know Option A and the facility?

Option B also might have WEEKS of orientation in the classroom but when it's all said and done it could very well be 10 shifts on the floor precepted just like Option A. Some (not all) orientation programs can be a lot of fluff and puff with education and not a lot of hands on....but that may be what you want/need.

Good luck!!!

Rockhopper · Jan 11, 2008

What are your thoughts and opinions on a 5 week training program for a busy med/surg unit? It would be 5 days in the classroom and 20 days (8 hr shifts) working with a preceptor. Do you feel that it's an adequate length of time for a new grad to become a safe practitioner on the floor?

iwannabeanurse06 · Jan 12, 2008

Job Offer A:
-Med/Surg Telemetry
-Actually, the manager stated that there are 10 8-hr shifts before I will be on my
own!!
Job Offer B:
-General Med/Surg
-This 18-Week RN Residency is via the Versant Program, which has gained
recognition for new graduate competence and retention. Approximately 4 weeks
of class instruction.
Please help!

I too had to make this decision! Except I was choosing between a 4wk, maybe 5 if I "needed it" orientation vs a 20wk Versant (both in critical care!!). Needless to say I picked Versant even though it's a 45min commute! Good luck with your decision.