What's a typical orientation schedule like?

[BarneyBoy2009]

Expecting to graduate in May. Yay!!!

I'm trying to get a feeling of what typical orientation schedules are like. How much of this needs to be M-F days -- especially if I'm working a shift other than days?

What do the cover?

Are you required to study outside of the orientation hours? (e.g. is is like taking a class?)

Barney

[Jules A, MSN]

Hey Barney,

I think its different at all places. One of mine was a week 9-5 in a classroom type thing for policies etc. but no home work and then a week training on the floor my shift. The other was just 5 shifts following an experienced nurse. Congratulations!

[casperx875x]

For me, 10 weeks of orientation (8 weeks on days, 2 weeks on nights) 1 on 1 with a preceptor plus 2 weeks of classroom orientation. I was hired for FT nights. I was anxious about being on my own, but felt prepared.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

When I was a new grad, it was a few months of a preceptorship but it was broken up. I was pulled off orientation when they were short staffed and used in staffing. i also had 2 wks of classroom.

now i have a yr experience and started at a new facility and i get 10 wks of orientation w/ a preceptor, no classroom.

oh, first place i was hired for nights and i worked nights on orientation per my request.

second place i hired for nights and i'm orienting on days.

[R*Star*RN, BSN, RN]

i was hired as a new grad, we had 2 weeks of 9-5 in the classroom and then 8 weeks of day shift with a preceptor. then we moved to our regular shift (evenings for me) and had 2 more weeks with a preceptor.

[Footballnut]

Orientation varies by facility and by nursing unit. We plan on about 12 weeks of combined study, classroom and clinical time in our advanced practice unit. Most new grads are well prepared for beginning practice when they have finished orientation.

[BarneyBoy2009]

Thanks everyone.

I'm excited and a bit nervous at the same time.

Barney

[MB37]

Mine, for critical care, is 16 weeks of preceptorship preceded by 4 of classroom. The first 4 weeks were M-F 8-4 for everyone. The next 8 we do 2x12h shifts with a preceptor, which could be days or nights, including weekends, completely dependent on our preceptor's schedule. I was asked if I preferred days or nights, but not everyone had a choice. We also had 16h/week of critical care class, and we couldn't work the day we had to come in for our live class (again, 8-4 only). The last 8 weeks we work 3x12s with our preceptor, and then we're done. There isn't much flexibility, but we are allowed to have a "backup" preceptor or two for the inevitable days when our schedules conflict.