Travel Nurse Orientation:
Gypsy,
I am a new travel nurse; I’ll be starting my first contract soon. Â I’m nervous and excited, but most of all, I am curious to know what to expect during Travel Nurse Orientation? Â Will It be like a normal hospital orientation?
Thanks!
New Traveler
Thank you for reading The Gypsy Nurse. You have taken the first step on your journey to becoming A Gypsy Nurse.
Travel nurse orientation is very unpredictable. Â Do not expect it to be anything close to ‘normal’ hospital orientation. Â As travel nurses, we are expected to jump in immediately and assist during periods of the high census of low staffing. Â Because of this, orientation is not a priority.
Personally, I have experienced anything from a full-blown hospital orientation lasting 3 days to walking onto the floor my first day and give my patient load and told where to go to receive the report. Â Each hospital is different. Â Some things that you ‘may’ expect:
- Computer Training – this can consist of nothing more than obtaining your passwords/IDs, a self-taught course, or days of classroom training.
- Policies and Procedures – this could be as simple as finding the resources for full days of classroom general hospital orientation. Â I’ve also experienced times where I received nothing and had to seek out these resources on my own while working on the floor.
- Skills Testing – Many hospitals will require some sort of testing on arrival. Â This may include dosage calculations, unit-specific testing, hands-on skills check-offs. Â This varies greatly.
- Floor orientation – Again, you may or may not receive floor orientation. Â Most hospitals that I have worked in have given at least one day of floor orientation to work with a staff nurse and share a load for a shift or two.
- Crash Cart
- Emergency policies/procedures, codes, and numbers
- Procedure for calling a code
- How to reach MD
- Tour of unit: med room, supplies, emergency exits, oxygen, equipment, etc.
I love hearing the opinions of my readers.  Your opinion could be the perfect solution for someone.  Please share your thoughts below in the comments.  Do you have a question for me?  Fill out the Ask A Travel Nurse form and submit your questions.  In addition, if you like what you’ve read here, don’t forget to SHARE.
(Disclaimer: Â Please note that this is the Authors opinion only. Â I do not provide career counseling, legal or medical consults. Â If you require any of these, please search out the appropriate resources)