Nursing Nurses on Seton Nursing Orientation

“My experience as a GN in the ED was very positive. I already knew the staff because I’d worked as a clinical assistant on the unit during nursing school. They were very supportive of me during and after orientation. I had wonderful preceptors and I continue to have resources available when I need them. The transition from orientation to being on my own was easy. Near the end of orientation, I began taking more and more patients on my own, until I was taking a full patient load of our busiest rooms (usually rooms 6-10) with my preceptor as a resource if I needed her. When I got off of orientation, I was in a slower area with lower acuity, so it was a pretty easy transition. After a few months when I was back in the busier rooms but on my own this time, it was still manageable since I had worked those rooms during orientation. When I was in those busy rooms the first few times on my own, there was always a float nurse available to keep on eye out for me. So overall, I would say it was a great transition and I had wonderful, experienced nurses who continue to support me.” – Laura Hill, Emergency Department Graduate Nurse

“Orientation to the NICU at Children’s Hospital has been a wonderful learning experience! As a new nurse, I have been supported through a combination of classes relevant to my role and working one-on-one with a knowledgeable and experienced preceptor. Training supports the audio, visual, and tactile learner to tailor the most appropriate and beneficial experience for each individual!” – Nicole Palacios, RN

“Wow orientation! That was scary. Not because of you guys (ya'll were great!), but because I was a REAL RN. I liked the classes and sessions that we had to prepare us for 'the floor.' I think that the information was helpful in getting our minds ready for the challenge. Working with the preceptors was very beneficial. Every nurse had different tidbits of knowledge to pass on to me. They really helped me develop my own style of nursing. The thought of being on my own was still scary. On my first day taking an assignment I was scared nervous, but I knew I could handle it because of all the preparation and support from the staff. Never have they left me hanging. They always help and answer ALL my questions! Through all the classes and preceptors you guys taught me that nursing is a TEAM sport!” – Carly Nutt, RN

“I was fortunate to have my integration on the nightshift on Blue Unit. Although many people may think I would see less at night time, I was able to look up a lot of information and that really helped me to solidify patient care and policy/procedures. I oriented with a great nurse who had been a nurse on the Blue Unit for several years. She was very thorough and a great teacher and played a big role in easing my transition from "school" to "work" as a graduate nurse. As I continued orientation as an employee as a new GN, rather than a student, I was very nervous. Orienting on the day shift was also a very scary thought for me. Despite my own self-doubts, there was never a time I felt alone or unsupported on either shift. All of the nurses answered my questions without making me feel incompetent. Even when people were too busy to help me at the moment, I was always directed to someone who would be able to help me. Not only the nurses, but all staff on the unit were great resources to me, and they continue to be great sources of information to me now, almost 2 years later!” – Julie Holt, RN, Blue Unit