What does orientation usually entail?

[amzyRN]

I am just curious what usual orientation entails for a nurse with experience in a hospital. I will have 8 shifts on the floor and am just curious what is usually done. The reason I ask is because when I first started as a new grad I got 12 weeks and one week I would take one patient and then the next week two, etc. I am sure this will be different from what I will be doing.

For you experienced nurses who are going into the same specialty, what did your orientation entail. Did you take all the patients or how did it work? Sorry if this is a silly post.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

not only does this vary between facilities, but the nursing departments in my facility all do it a little differently. So much depends on the experience you bring with you. I would expect to work thru technical skills to get it documented that you are competent with the equipment and policies, maybe competencies on personal skills and knowledge of meds, procedures, etc. Because hospitals have so many governing bodies looking over their shoulders, we are obligated to document a lot of things that take up time. You will need to get familiar with the computer system and other systems, like medication dispenser. It is the time to ask a lot of questions!