Critical Care Float Pool

[cdibley]

Hi Everyone,

I am considering going from a SICU and mostly CVICU (last 2 years) background into critical care float pool that would have a general ICU, Neuro trauma ICU, and 2 step down units.

Anyone have any experience doing float pool? Likes/Dislikes?

I am just wanting to branch out and learn more, but am a little nervous that I will get stuck with the turn, clean, and feed patients, the ones that don't require a lot of critical thinking and won't get to have the new learning experiences I'm craving. Thoughts?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You will either get the easiest patients, or the most difficult patients. Your assignments as a float nurse will completely depend on the personalities of the unit charge nurse.

As they get to know you , that could change. As with any new position, you will need to prove yourself.

[cdibley]

That's kinda what I was thinking, hopefully since it's a relatively small hospital float pool, I will be able to prove myself and they'll get to know me over time.

[RNperdiem, RN]

It all depends on what kinds of patients are available. Sometimes it seems the whole unit consists of failure to wean, turn-water-feed patients. Other days, making any kind of assignment is difficult with all high acuity and new admissions.

As a float, if they are nice to you, will give you the lower acuity patients. Where I work, an outsider would never be given a balloon pump, fresh liver transplant or anything very unit specific.

Get well know, and prove your abilities and things vary more.

Likes: the per diem schedule, getting to know most of the nurses outside of one area, the variety, avoiding being in charge

Dislikes: Don't know the doctors as well, everything is a little slower trying to find supplies, floating to a department that is short-staffed and unpopular for good reason.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

It can be daunting at first but as you circulate to the different units, learn their 'rhythm' and get to know your co-workers and the docs it gets much easier. I actually found the varience, challange(s) and continued learning experiences of going to different areas a nice break from the 'day to day' of being assigned. Bottom line, it will be what you are comfortable with...but at least give it a chance.

[EllaBella1, BSN]

In my unit floats are always given the most stable patients. They are also the first ones to be given PCU patients when we have them. That said, there is still a lot of opportunity for learning and helping out on the unit with other, more critical patients. I think it would be good experience for you.