What is the difference b/t an orientation and a nurse residency program?

Orientation is usually specific to one unit, possibly a second if a sister unit to yours. They average about six weeks long for a new grad in many areas. For the specialty areas, they are any where from three months up to about six months.

A nursing residency is usually a full year and you get experience in many different areas to give you an overview of everything, then you pick the area that you like the best to remain in. Some may very a little on this, but this it is in its most simplest of forms.

Best of luck to you.

Sometimes, there is NO difference between a standard orientation and a residency program. Sometimes, there is a LOT of difference. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the programs being compared.

Hospitals often "package" their new grad orientation programs and give them a title, such as "residency" or "internship" in order to market them to the nurses they are recruiting. In theory, the special programs are longer and offer more support for the new grad than standard orientation programs. Those special features might include a prolonged preceptorship, an on-going mentorship program for the first year, extra classes, etc.

However, in reality, that is not always the case. Sometimes, a hospital will not offer many special features at all -- but label their program a residency or internship in order to help them recuit. Other hospitals may offer all of the "special features" and simply choose to refer to that program as their standard new grad orientation features.

So ... be sure to look at the details of the orientation programs before you make any judgments and don't be fooled by slick brochures and a good sales pitch.