My orientation was last July. Pretty short - about 3 hrs. They gave us some paperwork, showed us a slideshow explaining the first semester and the craziness, and let us sign up for medical supplies to be specially ordered for clinical (stethoscope, penlights, bandage scissors, etc.) I just brought myself :)
Well they just added a third date to our orientation. July 12th is the first one and the other two is in Aug. the for all three is 9-4. I am bringing my packet and receipt for the drug test, pen, paper, notebook, water and a snack all stuffed in my large bag. Other than that me and my nerves. I am so excited, I can't wait.
At the very least take a pen and paper to jot notes. Our orientation was 6 hrs long. We had several breaks. Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks were provided. I just brought a pen, a 1/2 inch three ring binder with pockets and loose left paper, and the orientation packet that they sent us in the mail. I felt I had everything I needed while I was there with just that.
I haven't really thought about it. Definitely a couple pens. Maybe a notepad for taking notes. Water and snack... I can't imagine what else you would really need.
The mountain of paper you will get probably will not be hole punched, so bring something with pockets to contain it. I agree with not buying your books on the day of your orientation. Get the list and shop around. A local scrub shop that carried our programs scrubs was there on my orientation day. We got a 20% discount if we bought same day. so, be prepared to drop some dough. Keep in mind that you will walk out with WAY more than you will walk in with. Bring a bookbag or tote, not a small purse. Oh, and like someone else said, bring anything mentioned in the acceptance letter.
also, Relax... Going to orientation will be the least taxing thing you will be doing in the next two years.
Classes start Aug 27th and we don't have orientation until Aug 28th!! I did go to an orientation for the university and at the end we met with the nursing department for about an hour and an advisor checked over our paperwork. In years past they have had a week-long orientation the week BEFORE classes start. I'm not sure why they changed this year and are only giving us a one day orientation AFTER our first classes. They have sent out a ton of information by email and have posted our book lists, requirements, etc.
I suppose for that Tuesday orientation I will bring a notebook, folder, pens, water, and lunch.
I'd bring my backpack with a binder, hole punch to put paperwork in(we use Moodle so we are loaded in the day before school starts and we always have plenty of paperwork to print out so I always do that and put in the binder)....looseleaf or a notebook to write notes in(about clinicals, classes, etc), plenty of pens....If I was going to be there from 9-4, I would bring your lunch or money to get lunch if you have any on campus places to eat at. I also bring snacks(almonds, anything protein/carbs to help with energy on those long class days).
Thanks, everyone! With all of your lists, I'm sure I will be more than prepared for orientation! :w00t: ... Shift+R improves the quality of this image. CTRL+F5 reloads the whole page.
I just brought my purse, bottle of water, pen and a note pad which I didn't need because they were very thorough with their hand outs and packets of info. Our orientation only lasted about an hour and a half. They were very to the point. Our sudent advisors are very good about spelling out what the nursing program is like, how it is run, and what is expected of us so almost everyone entering the program knows EXACTLY what to expect going into orientation so very few questions were asked.
QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP
549 Posts
My orientation was last July. Pretty short - about 3 hrs. They gave us some paperwork, showed us a slideshow explaining the first semester and the craziness, and let us sign up for medical supplies to be specially ordered for clinical (stethoscope, penlights, bandage scissors, etc.) I just brought myself :)
Have fun.