New Employee Orientation: A Focus Evaluation of the Current Program at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland

Abstract

Abstract : Increased employee turnover, escalating recruiting costs, and a shrinking pool of qualified applicants are major factors promoting organizations to re-examine existing personnel entry practices. discover a greater emphasis should be placed on the quality of new employee orientation programs. This project evaluated the National Naval Medical Center's new-employee orientation program. Members of the management team participated in a survey concerning the elements of the current program. Participants were asked to evaluate the degree of importance each element contributed in preparing new employees to assist the organization in fulfilling its mission and vision. Survey results indicated dissatisfaction with the composition of the current program. Moreover, differences among the levels of management concerning the focus of newcomer orientation also existed. Alternatives to the current program, that are consistent with the survey results, are proposed to better assist the National Naval Medical Center's new employees in contributing to the organization's vision and mission.... Orientation, Socialization, Culture, Training.