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Orientation Training for a New RN Graduate

Hello. I am a new graduate RN. I have interviewed for a position & have some concerns about how they handle their training for new nurses. They say 2-3 days on their computer system, then the next day I will shadow a RN, then my next night to work I will have one pt on my own. Then every 3rd shift I will get an addition pt.
I am concerned because I do not feel like any of my skills have been mastered and I did not get to practice a lot of IV starts or blood draws, or any other skills during clinicals.
What do you guys think? Also, it will be for the night shift & they will have a charge nurse that does not have pts. Should I request more time to observe and “help” my RN before taking on a pt on my own? I surely do not want to harm the pt or jeopardize my license.

Any suggestions? It has been very hard for me to get offers as I am a new RN with no experience & a lot of places want at least 6 mths. So I am nervous, but I feel like this is where I need to get a start.

I’d appreciate any opinions or suggestions. Thanks again!

Tara

This question was asked in the nursing forum section.

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Comments

  1. S.L. Page says

    August 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Hey Tara!

    Excellent question! I understand your concern. You have many factors to deal with because I know you desperately want the job. As a new nurse without experience, jobs are hard to find. So you don’t want to make anyone mad. But you do have to make sure you get enough orientation time. As a new nurse, you are required to know so much stuff, and it can be very overwhelming at times, especially until you get your routine down.

    I know that for me (as a nurse with experience), when I switch jobs I get overwhelmed just learning the new patient population and environment. I usually get about a 2 week orientation. So I’m surprised that you are getting such a short orientation period being a new nurse graduate.

    When I graduated nursing school, my orientation period consisted of being side by side with another RN for 2 1/2 months. During the last couple of weeks before I got out of orientation, I took the whole patient load myself and my preceptor just observed me. I am very thankful I had those 2 1/2 months of orientation.

    The orientation you are getting is very short, and I definitely understand your concern. If I were you I would ask for a little bit longer time, but it is totally up to you. If you choose to not ask for a longer time, I would utilize every resource the place you works offer (education classes, etc). Also, develop a friendship with a more seasoned nurse on the floor to help you.

    I felt so scared and overwhelmed on my own at first and was constantly stressing I was forgetting stuff….so if you do that it is totally normal. I wish you the best.

    What does everyone else think?

    • Tara says

      September 3, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      thank you so much for the reply! turns out that is not exactly how my orientation will go. I feel that was the answer a seasoned nurse gave in hopes it would run me off. I questioned director & she explained I will be shadowed by an RN when I do take my own pts for several months. Thanks again for all your advise! It will definitely be an experience & I cannot wait to begin helping patients!

      • S.L. Page says

        September 3, 2014 at 5:08 pm

        Tara,

        Thanks for updating me. I’m very glad to hear you will be getting a longer orientation than expected. Please let us know how orientation is going…I would love to hear about 🙂

        Sarah

  2. Jessie says

    August 22, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Requesting more time should be something you do. If you don’t get the proper orientation and feel comfortable on your own you are going to start feeling burnt out. I have seen it happen to too many new nurses. They were thrown out there way to fast and ended up quitting. I wouldn’t agree to it. Stand your ground!

    • Tara says

      September 3, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      Thank you for your reply. It seems the orientation will be longer & different than what was told to me! whew! so we shall see how it goes! I start orientation next week!

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