Accepted first hospital job

Published

Specializes in LTC, TCU, and Hospital Float Pool.

After working LTC/TCU and applying to hospitals for 3 years I finally got a hospital job! (Finally!). I got a job with this program the hospital has called "advanced beginner" which is for nurses with no hospital experience. From what I thought we also get a little more orientation than the average new hire. I got a position in the float pool and 12 hours shifts. I guess we float to all units except the ER, L&D, and ICU. I am really excited, but really nervous. Any advice on how to prepare myself for floating all over the hospital? I feel like I need to brush up on a lot of things. I just don't want to screw anything up since I have wanted this for so many years. It's going to be such a drastic change going from LTC to float nurse at a hospital. If anyone has any advice please share!!

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Just wanted to say Congrats to you!!:) I think there are skills refresher courses you can take before you start on your own at the hospital. That's what I would (and plan on) if in your situation. I've been in LTC for about a year and FEEL like my skills are withering away when I wanted to BLOOM...

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I am happy for your success. I also want to say that I worked in the hospitals early on in my career. I was based in Psych and AODA but would be floated to ICU. Nurses from ICU would be floated to Psych ect. We felt like fish out of water. It was an awful experience to be floated to a unit of RN's that looked at me like "O.K. just stay out of the way." We on psych were more friendly and had more concrete suggestions for the ICU floats. I think this is poor planning on managements part to be candid. Ask the hospital to prepare you by assigning preceptors who float. To me this is a win win because a small investment could serve the patient care and you would stand a better chance of being an asset. More important you would increase your confidence to float. I hope this is helpful.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Congrats!!! :up:

Do some self study if you can; brush up in subjects that you haven't encountered, and just get a general idea on what nursing care is involved.

You still have a depth of knowledge because of LTC, and TCU; I am sure you will do just fine.

Best wishes!

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