abstract
- Staff educators know the importance of orientation for nurses and strive to develop effective orientation programs in both general and specialized clinical areas. However, little is written about what constitutes a 'good' orientation, especially for the new graduate. This article provides a summary of the current literature on nursing orientation and provides an overview of various timelines utilized in different settings, frameworks to guide the development and implementation of an orientation and a brief description of the mentor and preceptor roles. Implications for staff educators, nurse managers, and the organization are described.