Weird Float position?

Specialties NICU

Published

I just graduated (gulp!) and was offered a NICU/PICU/Peds Float. Well, I see how PICU and Peds would go together, but NICU? Does that mean I have a lot more to learn? Anyone ever heard of such a position?

Any advice much appreciated. I love the idea of being a float, but I'm imagining that it would be really challenging, as I have three patient types to learn. I looked through the threads, but didn't seem to be something anyone else was doing. I haven't asked them how long the training would take, but ideally how long before a new grad would be able to comfortably take over independently?

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Yes, NICU frequently goes along with PICU and the peds floor with terms of floating.

How long is you orientation going to be? What level is the PICU, as well as the NICU?

Would you be taking care of just feeder/growers as we call thenm, or are you expected to take neonates on ventilators?

I would be quite worried about a position like that offered to a new grad, you will need a full orientation in each area first............andno facility is going to do that.

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I would be quite worried about a position like that offered to a new grad, you will need a full orientation in each area first............andno facility is going to do that.

I totally agree with you Suzanne4...being a new grad and floating into any ICU is asking for trouble. Think that this is a clear road to burning out a brand new nurse.

OP, as much as you would like to float, wait until you get more experience behind you for your own peace of mind.

Kris

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Yes, NICU frequently goes along with PICU and the peds floor with terms of floating.

How long is you orientation going to be? What level is the PICU, as well as the NICU?

Would you be taking care of just feeder/growers as we call thenm, or are you expected to take neonates on ventilators?

I would be quite worried about a position like that offered to a new grad, you will need a full orientation in each area first............andno facility is going to do that.

Thanks for your response - you pose good questions. Do you mind clarifying some more for me? If, as you say NICU/PICU/Peds goes together, and many new grads are being offered either one of these, how much MORE challenge do you see me facing compared to them? In what way is it challenging? In your opinion, what would be a sufficient training period for something like this? Perhaps, are you saying the difficulty lies in coming straight into a float situation? If so, why?

Sorry to bother you further, but I am trying to get to the rationales so that I can make a decision for myself. Think of it this way: if I had NO choice, but to go into this, what advice would you give me?

(I am going to inquire into the training period. This is a very well-known institution, which made it into the USA Today top hospitals, so from that I am guessing they must have an established plan for training, but I could be wrong)

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

No. No. No. Don't work at this place. Any manager that is hiring on a new grad in a float position should have her head examined. You need to be working in one stable position where you can be oriented and complete your training as a nurse. Learning to handle the work in one intensive care unit will be challenge enough, let alone two other units. No. Don't do this. Take a position in only one of the units if you still want to work there and ask for a "no float" promise, especially as a new grad. Don't let them bamboozle you into taking this on. They are taking advantage and using you. :angryfire

I can tell you exactly what will happen to you. You will start off assigned to one unit, probably Peds (they have to do that for accounting and payroll purposes), and then every time they need someone in NICU or PICU you will be the one they send. They will start you out in Peds because you are a new graduate, they'll say, and you need some general experience first. If they can't offer and promise you a definite intensive care training program do not take this float position. Get it in writing too. Ask, or they should give you, a written offer of employment that clearly defines what job position they are offering and what training they are willing to offer. That is how it is done these days.

I was a head nurse of a medical unit in a large city hospital. I was also a member of their new graduate nurse committee and it was our task make sure the new grads were transitioned into their new jobs in a special orientation program. The ICUs are very special places and we offered a 6 month training period in just one of the ICUs alone. Our orienting graduates were not to be floated anywhere for at least 6 months. If your new employers can't do that, look elsewhere. If you need the job right now, stick it out, but look elsewhere. You can quit without giving notice anytime during your probabionary period (and they would deserve it, too). It's jobs like these that get nurses off to a bad start and lead to them becoming disillusioned and leaving the profession altogether.

Sweetheart, you may be finished with nursing school, but your training is not over yet. Any employer who is not willing to understand that you are still a tender-roni and need special handling isn't worth your time. Please keep looking. I don't know whether you are an A.A. or B.S.N. grad, so I realize that may make a difference, however, pick your first job experiences as carefully as you made your choice about schooling.

Floating is not as romantic an idea as you are thinking. Most nurses hate to do it. No one likes being pulled off their regular units where they feel comfortable to work where there is obviously a shortage (cause that's why you got floated!). Floats have a bad reputation because they are perceived as not having the same dedication as the regular unit staff. Floats do not do the "little things" that tend to be done by members within a unit. Supervisors and staffing coordinators see floats as bodies to fill in the staffing holes. Some of the nursing staff will like you because you're the one floating instead of them. They won't particularly like you for all the other reasons I just listed.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

It is so not a good idea for a new grad to take a float position...is this place really understaffed? As a float RN, you may not get a full orientation to each unit, which is trouble with a capital T. I would opt for one place and start there...many people start in one and then go to a float pool after a year or two, but it is really unusual to start as a new grad.

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It takes minimum of one year working in a NICU to even feel comfortable there. Orientation is a PICU can be anywhere from six weeks to four months.

There is so much to learn, you would be ovrewhelmed, and unless they have a fabulous orientation program and exceptional educators, you will be scared out of your mind....

What do you do when the preemie drops their heart rate into the thirties? They turn "black" -- nor blue or grey? Very scary if you do not feel comfortable with taking care of them. You do not have time to call for help but have to respond on your own immediately.

I personally would advise against taking a position like this as a new grad, and shame on the person that wanted to put you into a position like this.

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wow.. and overwhelming NO. Guess the smart thing to do next would be to find exactly what training they plan to give me. I'll find that out next week.

Love you guys! allnurses rock!

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Please let us know. We are most curious as to what they offer. :)

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This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.... Why on earth a manager would do this to you I don't know.... Speaking from experience, our hospital hires new grads in both NICU and PICU and yes, they have to float. It is brutal on them. I work NICU and we have had several incidents with new grad PICU nurses already. Do not do this. I don't care how good they make the orientation sound, you should not have to float for the first 6 months to one year of employment. They are taking advantage of your lack of experience by trying to get you to take this position.

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wow.. and overwhelming NO. Guess the smart thing to do next would be to find exactly what training they plan to give me. I'll find that out next week.

Love you guys! allnurses rock!

I personally don't think all the training in the world can help a new grad FLOAT anywhere! Our hospital wants at least 1-2 yrs experience for even the med-surg float pool! Way too dangerous for a new grad. I am still shocked they offered it to you.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

I know....I remember that first float after being off orientation...back then there was no 6 mo grace period! Now we have the grace period, but it is still scary! At least when you are stable in a unit, you know that you are at least going back to the "familiar" after one day, but not knowing where you are going to end up each day would be way to overwhelming for a new grad! You need to ask specific questions about orientation, etc. You could tell the recruiter that you would feel more comfortable in one position and if there are any to be had!

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