[2ndcareerRN_2004]

Hi All,

I am considering doing float pool nursing in a hospital b/c it would mean better pay and better hours. I am also thinking it would be nice to not get involved with unit politics. Any advice? Advantages? Disadvantages? I am in a very toxic unit right now and it is absolutely horrible. I try to ignore it, but I feel like I get caught up in it all, by even ignoring it. I am looking for a change.

Thanks in advance!

[DutchgirlRN]

If you don't mind floating it would be an excellent opportunity to learn all kinds of new skills and change things up whenever things get monotamous. I know many nurses in the float pool and they love it and the extra money is added bonus. As for me I'm through with hospital work but I never did like floating anyway. Good Luck!

[hikernurse]

I've done it. I really liked it. You visit the units enough to know people, but not so much that you're involved in the politics. Plus, you get more freedom in your hours--always a good thing if you're in school or have other obligations.

Plus--most of the time everyone's glad to see you...your showing up means they have fewer patients. Some of my fellower floaters felt like they got stuck with patients the other nurses didn't want, but I think usually the charge nurses give you a wee bit lighter of a load since you're not familiar with the unit.

The downside is that you have to ask more questions r/t knowing where things are and even in the same hospital, units can be run quite differently; but my experience is that the other nurses are pretty nice.

You may get called off more, but it's easy enough to add extra hours if you need the money. Where I worked floaters were in demand enough that people who wanted to work OT, were able to do so.

I'd recommend it

[lsyorke]

Float pool for almost 4 years now(after 19 years of being on a single floor) and LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! You are so right, no politics, no infighting. I go to work, give my patients the best care that I can and go home. I should have done it years ago!!! I know all the units as well as the staff nurses, so there's no problem there.

[hikernurse]

Originally Posted by lsyorke

I go to work, give my patients the best care that I can and go home.

...And that's the best part...

[AuntieRN]

I floated as a tech and when I graduated I wanted to stay in the float pool (we call it the flex pool) because I liked the extra money and working when I wanted to. They will not let new grads stay flex though. I have to work at least a year on the floor before they will let me go back to flex.

[2ndcareerRN_2004]

Thank you so much for all of your replies. Right now I am not in a good situation and am trying to weigh my options. I have a child < yr old and when I took my current job, that I could do a lot of my time on the weekends (they didn't have any weekend positions). However, they have been scheduling me to work during the week (saying they have enough weekend people, however this is not what I was told in my interview) which means, I have to put my son in daycare a lot more than I originally anticipated.

To top all of this off, I got a very quick orientation and a lot of my coworkers are very hostile towards everyone. I feel like there is no one I can trust on my unit. I feel terrible and depressed b/c I have only been at this job for less than six months, but I am looking for a way out. I had worked at a per diem job (prior to this job), where I really liked my coworkers, but I thought it would be better for my family if I took a job with benefits. I interview for a job last Thursday (weekend position at another hospital), but it was float pool. I have done a year of telemetry and a year of ICU, and I like both of them, and it would be nice to float and expand my skills. Thank you so much again for all of your replies. I really appreciate it.

[hikernurse]

Good luck 2ndcareer. With your experience, the float pool is bound to think you're a good catch :-). It sounds like a much better position to meet your needs now.

[2ndcareerRN_2004]

Hi All,

So I got the float pool weekend position - start in Feb.Cannot wait, less time for my baby in daycare and more money! I am a little nervous b/c it is med/surg general float (although I can go to the ICUs). I have worked on a busy tele floor, but have been doing ICU nursing for over a year. They told me that once I came on board, I could always transfer into critical care float pool should a weekend position open up. I am staying per diem at my ICU job, so I won' lose my skills completely.

I am ready for a change, and I am ready to not deal with the unit BS/politics, so I specifically applied for a float position. I will only be doing it 3/4 weekends a month (so 9 days a month). Am I nuts? Any other float people out there? Right now, I just want to do what is best for my family.

[lsyorke]

You'll love it! Especially with an ICU background, the technical end will be easy for you. The big adjustment will be the number of patients, but you'll get your own system and be fine.