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

[RNDreamer]

I was reading a poll where the OP asked if the nurses had adequate orientation, then asked if there was a nurse residency program. This is the first time I have heard of a nurse residency program. What is the difference? TIA!

[suzanne4, RN]

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.

[allantiques4me]

Could LPNs request a residency program??When i was a brand new nurse I had like a weeks orientation.I know I couldve benefitted from something like this.Even today,I would like to learn new areas of nursing.

[llg, PhD, RN]

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.

[scrubing77]

There were to hospitals with residency's that i applied to. The one i was hired on is set up like this. I spend 4 weeks on a Med surg floor then 4 weeks on a Tele then I spend 12 weeks on the ICU floor that i will be working on. The other program I applied to was some was like that but you spent times in other critical areas that is similar to the area you will be going to such as 4 weeks in a neuro ICU then 4 weeks in a CV ICU then maybe 4 weeks in the ER then you would go to your floor ICU for 8 weeks or so. The base concept is the same though you experience different units and get a broader orientation.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Advocate Hospitals in Chicago have nurse residency programs that run about 12 months as Suzanne describes