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Asked by: Narcisa Haentschel
careers resume writing and adviceHow long should nursing orientation be?
You generally will be on orientation following your preceptor/mentor's schedule for about three to six months. If you were hired to work in a critical care area, your orientation will most likely be longer and even up to one year depending on the facility.
Keeping this in consideration, how do you pass nursing orientation?
Here are eight tips to help make your orientation a success, whether you're a new nurse OR just changing nursing specialties.
- Arrive Early. Show that you are dependable and eager to get started!
- Come prepared.
- Bring Food.
- Take Notes.
- Be Respectful.
- Ask Questions.
- Stay Honest.
- Anticipate What's Next.
- Wear Your Uniform and a Watch. It all begins with your uniform.
- Bring Four Pens.
- Bring a Stethoscope Holster.
- Pack Your Lunch.
- Your Shift Starts 15-Minutes Earlier Than Anyone Else.
- Remember ALL of Your Patients, and Be Patient.
- Keep a Paper “Brain.”
- Interact With Your Peers.
Considering this, why is nursing orientation important?
Nursing orientation plays a pivotal role in the competency and retention of newly hired registered nurses. Effective orientation and precepting programs produce nurses who provide competent, quality patient care and are enculturated as productive members of the healthcare team.
Please dress in business casual attire for New Employee Orientation.
Examples of appropriate attire include:
- Collared, button down, or polo shirts.
- Women's blouses.
- Sweaters or sweater vests.
- Slacks and skirts - no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
- Clean, closed-toed or open-toed dress shoes.