What's your definition of orientation?

[Sparkle9212]

Hey everyone. Just seeking advice. So, I recently got a new job at a LTC facility. I'm a new LPN, no experience. When I was hired I was told I would get off of orientation when I was "comfortable". (Yeah, laugh with me. I'm sure you know where this story is going...lol). Well I worked night shift. I orientated TWO days on day shift. Just observed. Did no skills at all. So I get to my first night shift of "orientation " and I am handed the keys to my very own cart and my supervisor tells me if I need help just tell her. Wait, HUH????? I tell her I'm not suppose to be on my own until I'm comfortable. And then she starts asking the nurses at nursing station, "how many days did you get on orientation". And everybody said 2 to 3 days. I'm basically in shock. I go along with it, because I don't want to come in causing problems. It took me 3 hours for one med pass and the incoming nurse was upset cause I was late with report because I wasn't done with everything. So it was a horrible night to say the least. The next day I call the DON and tell her I need more orientation she says "you are in oreintation". I was thinking this damn sure CAN'T be orientation. I told her I was on my own last night. She says she apologizes and will fix the problem. So that next night they put me with a "preceptor ". She basically just sat in a chair and was on her phone all night and just WATCHED me do my med pass. Is THIS orientation????? Did I get a proper oreintation? As I said, I'm a new nurse. I've never had orientation So I'm not knowing what to expect. Is this the definition of orientation in the nursing world? Feel free to comment. Feedback needed. Thanks! :)

[loriangel14, RN]

Orientation gives you a basic orientation to the facility or the floor. It's not meant to be teaching you how to be a nurse. You will still have a learning curve and it will take time to get the hang of things. They will not hold your hand for weeks.

[historylovinglpn]

I got lucky. I got two weeks of orientation and not even a new grad, but from talking to another new hire, she is also receiving two weeks as well. One week was just doing paperwork. 2nd week was actually passing meds and doing treatments, etc. Third week I was let loose and feel really comfortable. Now when I first started after I graduated in 1997 I got 6 weeks of orientation! My first and most recent were the longest, in between I've had basically ZERO orientation to one to three days, and that's it.