float position as new BSN grad

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi,

I have been offered a position that floats between L&D, mother/baby, and nursery. I will be graduating within a few weeks and this will be my first job as a nurse.

I realize it will be a huge undertaking to learn 3 different areas and everything about them but also think it is an awesome opportunity to be exposed to it all and learn the different areas. I had over 100 hours of clinical time in maternal/infant in nursing school and have been to these areas. I love all of them (L&D was my favorite) and am excited that I will not just be in one area.

I will not have a home base but will float after a 12-week orientation within these 3 units. I was told after my interview that they consider new grad's for this position if they have the personality for it and don't need that comfort level of starting in one unit only. I guess I have a bunch of questions and would love to get your thoughts. Do you think this is do-able? Does float mean I will be the last to schedule my work days (it is self-schedule)? Has anyone worked float and what is it like?

It is a night position so I would think I would really get floated to all 3 areas but I wonder if one is more likely than the other?

Thanks,

Spec

Thanks for all the input. I am disappointed that it is all negative but it is what I expected. I too have reservations, but think I should investigate it more. I plan on speaking to the person I interviewed with and asking some more questions. Maybe I can negotiate a longer orientation period in all 3 areas before floating. This would only make it a more positive situation for all parties involved.

I can't imagine they would offer a position if it was just that far-fetched and dangerous but then again, that is probably really naive of me to say. :)

Unfortunately it has been my experience that hospital managers WILL expect nurses to perform unsafely. They blow smoke up your a$$ and new grads are often so trusting they get taken advantage of. If you could orient to mother/baby and nursery, then work there for a few months before trying L&D, I think you would do much better.

+ Add a Comment