Why should the orienting nurse remain in the ED rather than be assigned to the ICU for the shift?

• A. To maintain ongoing orientation and ED operations
• B. To gain ICU experience first
• C. To reduce ED staffing requests
• D. To allow cross-training to begin in the ICU

Answer: (A)

Keeping the orienting nurse in the ED focuses on completing the orientation where the learning is most relevant and preserving ED patient flow and safety. Orientation relies on hands-on guidance within the actual environment the nurse will work in, with mentors who can immediately address ED-specific protocols, triage, rapid assessments, and equipment use. If the nurse is moved to the ICU, ED operations can be disrupted, handoffs may suffer, and the learner may miss timely exposure to ED workflows, increasing the risk of delays or errors. Staying in the ED allows the orientation to progress smoothly while the ED staff maintain consistent, safe patient care. Once orientation is complete, the nurse can contribute in the ICU as planned.