Nurses General Nursing
Published Aug 9, 2013
I'm sure many of you experienced nurses have started or at some point worked float pool - what's it like? Is it really difficult?
Tozz
86 Posts
No, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks! As far as resentment regarding my salary, the new grad floaters are getting $25/hr in a major metropolitan area. Regular per diems get twice that. So I will probably have to grapple with pity rather than resentment.
Some hospitals also pay their float pool nurses more than others, so resentment brews for that reason.... realize that I haven't exactly provided you with "tips" because I have none. But I have always appreciated knowing the true story so I could prepare myself to face reality....Good luck!
Some hospitals also pay their float pool nurses more than others, so resentment brews for that reason.... realize that I haven't exactly provided you with "tips" because I have none. But I have always appreciated knowing the true story so I could prepare myself to face reality....
Good luck!
DoeRN
941 Posts
I like floating and it's been said before and I will say it again. I wouldn't recommend a new grad starting in a float position. Impossible? No, but extremely hard.
Cons: I've been a nurse for 5 years and in healthcare for 13 and I have days that I almost cry because I have such a a terrible shift. But then the tears dry up because I know I won't be back the next day. We are expected to hit the ground running. A lot of times no one shows me where anything is located. I spend a lot of time trying to find things. I have crappy assignments and the most patients. There is some resentment because I make double than a staff nurse. I never know anyone so I don't really talk to people unless I have too. But I'm introverted so that's ok I usually don't want to talk anyway.
Pros: I have a very flexible schedule. I don't have to work weekends or holidays if I don't want too. I haven't worked Christmas or thanksgiving for the last 3 years. I literally learn something new everyday. Since I have a lot of experience everywhere people always ask me questions about different things. I don't mind because I like to share what I've learned with people. And the best thing of all is I am not involved with the floor drama and politics.
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Elle23
415 Posts
As much as I loathed being floated out of my home unit, I know I could never do float full time. It strikes a fear and anxiety in me that I don't normally have at work.
The last hospital I worked at expected us to float to any unit in the hospital (except ER) with zero orientation to any of the units.
This may not be a big deal floating from one med-surg unit to another, but I was a NICU nurse being asked to float to areas completely foreign to me (I had done nothing but NICU for 20 years!)
It is the reason I resigned from the hospital. It is a shame because I actually loved my job. But I wasn't willing to put my license on the line being floated places I where I was not comfortable.
Having said that...I admire anyonw who can do float. I think I'd just be fighting twars every time I worked if I had to do it!
Good grief...sorry about the typos. They need to give us more time to edit our posts!!
veggie530
249 Posts
I am getting the distinct impression that being in the float pool as a new grad is not ideal, but those are the cards I've been dealt. I am in a formal new grad program, so hopefully there will be a recognition that starting out in the float pool is difficult, and may require additional support. Does anyone have any pointers as to how work as a floater as a new graduate? I've been in a SNF on both sub-acute (15-20 patients) and long-term (20-30 patients) floors for the last year, but I keep hearing that that will be of no benefit.
You're considered a new grad after a year of experience?
Morainey, BSN, RN
831 Posts
I've asked the floats at my hospital and most of them like it because of things that other posters mentioned - lots of variability, not getting involved in unit politics, learning tons of different skills, etc. However they also mentioned that they tend to get abused - getting double-floated in an 8 hour shift, or triple-floated in a 12. The supervisors & managers have gotten better about that though.
The job posting was oddly written: It specified that it was a new graduate program, required a BSN, but also stated experience required. I assumed that that was a misprint. However, it appears that most all of us in the cohort have some nursing experience, albeit not in acute care.
Twinmom06, ASN, APN
1,171 Posts
thanks for your input...for me its sort of a means to an end - it gets me back into the hospital I want to work in - I'm on orientation in another hospital but the commute is brutal - I'll take just about anything to get back to where I want (I've worked there as an aide) and the floats (from what I've seen) are treated ok...