4 weeks?

rninmidwest · Dec 7, 2011

I might be a little leery based on the information you provided. I originally started out in Med/Surg and my orientation was eight weeks. While 4 weeks may not sound so bad, if you are with a preceptor for 3 - 12 hours shifts a week, that is really only 12 working days of orientation. This doesn't allow much time for you to gradually phase into the job. Ideally, you should have ample time to work with preceptor and gradually become independent in your assignment prior to being off of orientation. There is alot to learn, hospital protocols, charting, etc... I know for me personally, nursing school did not really give me the bird's eye view of what I was going to need in the way of time management skills to succeed in nursing. Having a good orientation period allows you to find your own "niche" with your work flow so that you can succeed when off of orientation, and on your own.

The fact that the nursing manager stated that the staff is not welcoming to new staff is also concerning. For her to state "give them time" almost is like her giving you fair warning that you may be entering a hostile environment and that this is a problem that has been encountered before. Your nurse manager should be addressing this with the staff and not putting it on the shoulders of the "new nurse" to just know what you are getting yourself into.

I know when I graduated, I was desperate for a job because my husband was laid off (automotive industry); however, I did end up getting 3 offers after ALOT of footwork and found a good fit at a hospital that was willing to give me the tools I needed to succeed. I changed jobs to work in the ER at another facility about 10 mos. ago. The nurses there were phenomenal and had just as much a vested interest in my success as I did. While school is an important tool, your preceptor/co-workers really do play an important part in your learning, especially as a new nurse. I know you said you aren't in a position to turn it down; however, if your gut instinct tells you "beware", you might be wise to listen. Perhaps it might be better to fight for that job worth fighting for vs. taking one that concerns you before you ever start. If you do decide to take it, I really wish you the best of luck. Med/Surg is a great floor because you see so many difference disease processes, co-morbidities, etc... and you learn alot. Best of luck to you.

missladyrn · Dec 7, 2011

I am sorry, I know you really want a job but something is seriously offputting about this one! 4 weeks is not enough and it seems like a poor floor for a newbie to be on. As a new nurse you will need other staff to help you out.

GleeGum, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

this doesn't sound good. i agree with the others.

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2011

If the staff isn't that welcoming and the manager knows it, then in my opinion, she is part of the problem. She should be correcting these behaviors and not accepting them. You are a new grad... you will have TONS of questions. You will need co-workers who will help you and understand that you have TONS of questions and not think of you as incompetent or a burden. You are supposed to be able to go up to a fellow peer and ask questions and get a professional answers. I don't know, ultimately you have to make the choice and this job market sucks. 4 weeks doesn't seem long for med/surg.

BUT... who knows, maybe you will catch on quick and be good to go. I guess you don't know unless you try it and if you have been looking for a job since May... I don't want to steer you wrong. I will say I think your red flags are warranted. The rest is unknown. Maybe take it for the experience. But if the environment is hostile, GET OUT...

Best of luck!!! :)

beeker · Dec 8, 2011

Hi all! Thank you for the input! I should have mentioned that I currently do have a full time (non nursing and non healthcare related job) I want to keep looking for something better while working at my current job but my husband is really pushing me to take this job. He thinks I should just jump in and hope for the best. I can't help the feeling that my gut instinct is usually right, and my instincts are telling me to RUN away from this place. I feel like the orientation is short AND the staff does not like new grads, and both of these seem to add up to a miserable job, right?

I am really torn. I feel like this might be my only shot, it took so long to get this offer and half my nursing class would jump at it. I also feel like it has a high probability of failure.

Maggie09 · Dec 8, 2011

Hi all! Thank you for the input! I should have mentioned that I currently do have a full time (non nursing and non healthcare related job) I want to keep looking for something better while working at my current job but my husband is really pushing me to take this job. He thinks I should just jump in and hope for the best. I can't help the feeling that my gut instinct is usually right, and my instincts are telling me to RUN away from this place. I feel like the orientation is short AND the staff does not like new grads, and both of these seem to add up to a miserable job, right?
I am really torn. I feel like this might be my only shot, it took so long to get this offer and half my nursing class would jump at it. I also feel like it has a high probability of failure.

Hi Beeker,

Granted, some nursing units are just inherently tougher than others when it comes to coworkers. I work in the ED, and our ED and ICUs have notorious reps for being "tough crowds" to break into. When I transferred from tele to the ED they were supportive of me as a new ED nurse. Nobody expects (or even wants) to be "best buds" with all of their coworkers, but I would flat-out refuse to work in an environment where I felt completely thrown to the wolves. While it takes awhile to feel camaraderie in any group, I would be very leery of accepting a position where the manager is acknowledging that the staff and your future coworkers are not supportive and helpful.

Another note--4 weeks of orientation? That would be tough if you had the best coworkers on earth--I can't imagine 4 weeks of orientation then "out you go" to be left on your own without adequate support from coworkers.

You'll have to follow your heart...is there any way you can spend a shift or two on the unit shadowing? Maybe get a feel for how things go?

noahsmama · Dec 8, 2011

What concerns me the most is not the shortness of your orientation, but the unsupportive atmosphere for new grads. I only had 5 weeks of orientation for my first nursing job, in a pediatric hospital, but the other nurses were very supportive of new grads, and very open to answering questions or showing me how to do things. There were a few exceptions to this rule, but I very quickly learned who was helpful and who wasn't, and gravitated towards the helpful ones. The charge nurses in particular were amazing -- the ones I worked with had all been nurses for 20+ years and were fantastic resources not just for newbies like me, but even for the experienced nurses. There were quite a few nurses who had been there 20+ years, the turnover was low and most people were happy with their jobs.

I managed with 5 weeks of orientation but really could have used another 2 to 3 weeks. The only reason I survived without that is that I was able to ask questions and get help. For the first 2 or 3 months on my own, I must have asked dozens of questions every single shift that I worked. I really can't imagine being a new nurse, especially with such a short orientation, in an environment where you don't feel like you can ask questions or ask for help from the more experienced nurses.

I understand about not wanting to turn down this opportunity given how hard it is to get a job as a new grad, but I'd be pretty hesitant to take this job.