Assigned to the Float Pool for Clinical with my Preceptor

[nursingstu]

Hello! I was just given my preceptor assignment for my last semester. I'll be in the float pool with an RN. I'm just wondering what the pros and cons are of this. I was really hoping to be put on a unit that I could get used to the swing of things on, but now I'm worried I'll be in so many places that won't be possible. Any ideas on how to prepare for this or encouraging words or tips would be much appreciated! Thanks so much!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It will be what you make of it.

My suggestion is to find out what the experience of other students who had this assignment did and how it worked for them? Has your preceptor had a student with her before? How did that go? What went well and what did not? etc. Sit down with your instructor and review your overall game plan as to how this type of assignment can fulfill the course goals. Sit down with your preceptor and make sure you are on the same page regarding expectations. As long as everyone is working the same plan, it can work.

Another suggestion. As you finalize your specific goals and plans it will be important that you not make them too "place dependent" -- not dependent on a specific type of patient, charting form, etc. because you may find differences from unit to unit. So make the goals/plans more general. For example, instead of saying that you want to learn how to complete an Admission Assessment Form, say that you want to be able to focus on "admission assessments." Instead of saying that you want to do a specific kind of patient teaching, say you want to get some experience with patient teaching. Then you can focus on the basic concepts that apply across many types of patients on different units without getting bogged down in the particular minutiae of each unit.

[meljonumd]

I agree.

I would add that when you arrive in a new place, try and find things that are the *same as the last unit you were on. Remember, it is the same hospital, so at least some procedure should be similar. (although, after having worked in hospitals for 10+ years, I know very well that each unit has a distinct "flavor", and that goes for ER, OR, etc).

[SubSippi]

The nurse will probably just float between the different floors of the hospital, not the speciality areas (ED, ICU, LD), or at least that's how it works at my hospital. All of the floors are laid out the same. It'll be a great opportunity to network. If you love a particular floor, LET THEM KNOW, and ask about job openings for when you graduate! Get cards of the unit managers and ask if you can email them when you get your license to see if they're hiring.

Float nurses aren't going to be involved in all the drama/socializing, so hopefully that means more time for you to learn!

I think it's a great opportunity if you're thinking about working there. Most people don't get to spend a shift on each floor before applying for jobs.