Working in the Float Pool as a nursing student

DIVINELY FAVORED · Jan 3, 2013

Hi,

I have been working in the float pool for about six months now and at first I was overwhelmed because you are required to work somewhere new every shift and depending on whom you work with ( nurses, cna's) everyone is'nt always nice and helpful. I have prior cna experience so this has helped me alot because I didn't need alot of help with the basics that the job required. I had to just learn the specifics for this particular hospital. But, now I love it because as you stated I am in nursing school and was not sure what area I really wanted to work in. As a floater you get to see many different units as well as work with many different people. Everyday when I go to work it is a new adventure lol !! I must warn you though some of the time you will get the worst patients, and not always the benefit of knowing who you are working with. I just try to keep a positive attitude and do the best job that I can while I'm there. I think I would like the ER the most even though I don't float there often. I like fast pace environments and is always on my feet. :yes:

brownbook · Jan 3, 2013

Float pool working is great. I love it.

However you will find a lot of nurses who will tell you not to do it. Most nurses hate to float and think you have to have 2 - 5 years of acute care nursing on one area before you should consider working as a float RN.

I think a lot depends on your personality. My first job I was a float RN two shifts per week and assigned to my "regular" unit two shifts per week. Since then I have always volunteered to be the first to float from my "regular" unit when census was low.

I have loved it. I have had an amazing variety of experiences and job offers because I can say...."yes I have done that...."

At my current job where I am per diem, (per my choice), I am often called into work when regular staff is cancelled because I have the ability to work in areas the regular full time staff can't, (or won't ) float to.

ShockEmRN, BSN · Jan 5, 2013

I've been a float pool patient care tech at a hospital for about a year now. I'm currently in nursing school and I can't think of a better unit to be on. I love having the ability to float to all units of the hospital, it really helps me to get that exposure I need for nursing. But the best part for me about being in the float pool is the schedule. Idk how is with the position you applied for, but the float pool staff at my hospital gets to pick what days they're available to work. Ex: I just go online to pick my shifts, looks at the shifts that are available and click on the ones I want to work that week. It makes it super flexible and perfect for school.

Nursingluv101 · Jan 5, 2013

I have been in a Floater for a year +, I would say yes you get experience and can see all the drama an different personalities of each floor. You do get hard patients and assignments some floors will totally dump on you! It is hard. I love te float at times because I'm not to one unit, but at other times I hate it. I say the float pool is okay but I wouldn't want to stay there forever.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 6, 2013

I've been floating as a sitter. I really like the schedule, but that's about all I like about being PRN.

I'm in the process of transferring to ER Tech now. They have a similar schedule, but a little more restricted. It's self scheduling and those with the most seniority pick first. I figure that I can suck it up for about 6 months until the next wave of ER Techs graduate from nursing school and ill move 'lower' on the totem poll.

I want to be able to get benefits. I want to know my coworkers names. I've floated to the ER, and the techs generally have great morale and work well together, and I want to be apart of that team.