What should I expect from my 2 day classroom RN orientation sessions?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2005

The only classroom time I had was during the first week when they went over hospital protocols, benefits, etc. At the very end we also went over IV sticks.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jul 8, 2005

Well, lucky you only to have 2 days! We had 12 days. A whole critical care course. 10 days that were 6-7 hours each of classroom learning. Learning stuff we learned in nursing school! Ugh. Then we had a testing day/skills day where we reviewed the code cart and how to defibrillate, all the different airway equipment (face mask, venti mask, cannula, bipap, etc). Then a "clinical fundamentals" day where we talked about IV's NG's and administering blood.

I hope yours isn't as boring as mine was!

Congrats on starting work! What type of unit will you be on?

amyrae76 · Jul 9, 2005

Hi Christine!

I actually just finished my orientation this week for my new job on a general medical floor, so I can tell you what you can most likely expect!

The specifics vary by state and by institution, but you will probably be given some form of nursing/patient scenarios to respond to. I had some in a packet to complete, and some where I had to watch a video of brief vignettes of patients, then stop the tape and write down what I thought the diagnosis would be, significant signs/symptoms, and nursing interventions along with rationales. For example, one patient is presented as a post-op woman who will go home tomorrow but she is very reluctant to get out of bed and do her ADLs. As she goes to get back into bed, she looks down at her calf and sees that it is very red, swollen, and tender. Obviously she has a DVT, so you write that down and then write what you would do (call the doc, put her on bedrest, anticipate orders for a heparin drip, etc.).

Once you've finished this packet, it will be graded by one of the nurses and this will be used to tailor your training to your needs. (For example, I missed one on pulmonary embolism, so I had a remedial video/quiz on the computer to do). My orientation also consisted of a rather lengthy skills assessment in which I had to do a catheterization, IV starts/piggybacks, NG tubes, etc. (all on dummies, of course). From there and based on what skills you feel comfortable with and what you think you need help on, the nurse will record what skills your preceptor should go over with you. At the end of orientation, all of this information will be sent to your boss and your preceptor to help personalize your training.

I hope this answers your question. Don't worry about any of it -- it's ALL designed simply to help you get the kind of training you need!

amy :)

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 9, 2005

Hi Christine!
I actually just finished my orientation this week for my new job on a general medical floor, so I can tell you what you can most likely expect!
The specifics vary by state and by institution, but you will probably be given some form of nursing/patient scenarios to respond to. I had some in a packet to complete, and some where I had to watch a video of brief vignettes of patients, then stop the tape and write down what I thought the diagnosis would be, significant signs/symptoms, and nursing interventions along with rationales. For example, one patient is presented as a post-op woman who will go home tomorrow but she is very reluctant to get out of bed and do her ADLs. As she goes to get back into bed, she looks down at her calf and sees that it is very red, swollen, and tender. Obviously she has a DVT, so you write that down and then write what you would do (call the doc, put her on bedrest, anticipate orders for a heparin drip, etc.).
Once you've finished this packet, it will be graded by one of the nurses and this will be used to tailor your training to your needs. (For example, I missed one on pulmonary embolism, so I had a remedial video/quiz on the computer to do). My orientation also consisted of a rather lengthy skills assessment in which I had to do a catheterization, IV starts/piggybacks, NG tubes, etc. (all on dummies, of course). From there and based on what skills you feel comfortable with and what you think you need help on, the nurse will record what skills your preceptor should go over with you. At the end of orientation, all of this information will be sent to your boss and your preceptor to help personalize your training.
I hope this answers your question. Don't worry about any of it -- it's ALL designed simply to help you get the kind of training you need!
amy :)

Thanks for replying Amy-wow, sounds like your orientation is a really good one! I wonder if we have plastic mannequins to practice on too. That would be great if we did. Rose-I'm on a med/surg/tele floor-I guess we get mostly cardiac & pulmonary patients, but also gyn surgery pts who are no more than 14 weeks pregnant-I like the variety! :) And telemetry fascinates me-I think I have to take a class on it though.

-Christine

MedSurgeMess · Jul 9, 2005

I just got done with 5 wks of classroom orientation and the 1st wk was nothing but hospital protocols, nursing roles within the hospital, policy and procedure, etc. Some boring, some useful. Next 4 weeks were modules on each body system and legal/ethical issues/customer service/etc. Again, some useful, some boring. I am glad to be going back to the floor, to say the very least! Good luck!

BETSRN · Jul 11, 2005

Well, lucky you only to have 2 days! We had 12 days. A whole critical care course. 10 days that were 6-7 hours each of classroom learning. Learning stuff we learned in nursing school! Ugh. Then we had a testing day/skills day where we reviewed the code cart and how to defibrillate, all the different airway equipment (face mask, venti mask, cannula, bipap, etc). Then a "clinical fundamentals" day where we talked about IV's NG's and administering blood.
I hope yours isn't as boring as mine was!
Congrats on starting work! What type of unit will you be on?

It may have een "boring" but you will need these skills when you are on your own. Nursing school was one thing. Now, the real world approaches you. You can never be over prepared. Don't be over confident as a new grad. Be thankful for all the review you can get. Over confidence leas to serious errors.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 11, 2005

What is the purpose of trying to second guess what the facility orientation will be. I am sure it will be boring, but since you have to go, why are you so worried? I bet it will consist of some sort of tour, a copy of certain papers and policies will be reviewed, and maybe a test or two. The CNO may speak to you, but in the end, it is their orientation, done their way.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 11, 2005

What is the purpose of trying to second guess what the facility orientation will be. I am sure it will be boring, but since you have to go, why are you so worried? I bet it will consist of some sort of tour, a copy of certain papers and policies will be reviewed, and maybe a test or two. The CNO may speak to you, but in the end, it is their orientation, done their way.

I was simply trying to see what it is I should expect from my classroom RN orientation. Who said I was second guessing it? I am excited to be an RN finally after being in school for so long, & I like to know as much as I can about something before it starts-hence, my post here asking you guys what I can expect from it. This is the whole point of this forum-to ask others for their opinions, give advice, etc.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

Hi Chris! I am in my classroom orientation for my new job right now- it's a pediatric medical floor. We have three weeks of classroom orientation, and the first couple of days we went over policies of the hospital in general and benefits and that kind of thing. Now we have been having presenters from different parts of the hospital to talk about their roles, some practical skill sessions with their equipment, and some computer charting training. It has been overwhelming to have so much class every day, but the information will hopefully help me out once I get out on the floor- it seems like a LOT right now, but once it sinks in and I have patients I think it will make more sense. We have two months after the classroom stuff with a preceptor, which I will be very glad for. I hope your job turns out to be what you're hoping for!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 12, 2005

Hi Chris! I am in my classroom orientation for my new job right now- it's a pediatric medical floor. We have three weeks of classroom orientation, and the first couple of days we went over policies of the hospital in general and benefits and that kind of thing. Now we have been having presenters from different parts of the hospital to talk about their roles, some practical skill sessions with their equipment, and some computer charting training. It has been overwhelming to have so much class every day, but the information will hopefully help me out once I get out on the floor- it seems like a LOT right now, but once it sinks in and I have patients I think it will make more sense. We have two months after the classroom stuff with a preceptor, which I will be very glad for. I hope your job turns out to be what you're hoping for!

Thanks Rayrae for responding. I talked to one of the nurse educators today on the phone & she was telling me what kinds of things they'll be going over during the orientation & it sounds a lot like what you were describing-with computer training, visits from OT, PT, etc. I can't wait to get started! It's so exciting to finally start working! I know I'll like the floor I'm on cuz it is the same floor I did my senior student intership on last semester-& I used to work there as a nursing assistant before that-so it is really nice to know all the staff already & where things are kept, etc. It reduces some of the stress that comes with starting a new job! :) Thank you to all of you who posted helpful comments! :)

-Christine

TypicalFish · Jul 12, 2005

I was simply trying to see what it is I should expect from my classroom RN orientation. Who said I was second guessing it? I am excited to be an RN finally after being in school for so long, & I like to know as much as I can about something before it starts-hence, my post here asking you guys what I can expect from it. This is the whole point of this forum-to ask others for their opinions, give advice, etc.

Chris-I start soon, also, and even though I've worked at the hospital I am going to for 14 years ( I left a few years ago for school)-I am very curious/excited/nervous about my orientation. I know two days are typical hospital-wide orientation, and then a couple of days with all care-providers, but after that I don't know. I am nervous, too, because I already feel like I forgot everything I learned in nursing school. Yikes! let us know how it was! :)