ER Tech or Pool Tech: which will benefit me the most?

saseipler528 · Mar 29, 2014

That is a hard decision. The Float Pool would give you insight on multiple different floors and definitely more well rounded experience. But if you're looking at ED for a final resting point, the experience in the ED would only help you on future applications.

I know that doesn't help you at all. lol. If I were choosing... I would probably do the Float pool (and my intention has always been the ED after graduation). I say this because, personally, I would like to make an informed decision when it comes to what department I settle in to. So because of this, I feel like seeing as much as I can will make that an easier decision down the road :)

Good luck in your decisions and congratulations on the offers :)

guest769224 · Mar 29, 2014

If you take the float pool you will like be a "sitter" a good chunk of the time, but you get to see so much awesome variety. The ER is also very exciting and adrenaline filling.

travelgurl18 · Apr 8, 2014

I am currently a "float" and at our hospital we can also float to the ER - but as more of an assistant than as a tech. And prior to being a float I working in a Pediatric ICU at the same hospital. Here are some pro's and cons to everything:

If you chose ER:

1. Potential to foster long lasting relationships with co-workers who will help you out so much in nursing school and potentially to get a job in the future

2.) You can form a strong relationship with your ED and charge nurses

3.) You will see a LOT in the ER and as a tech you are literally the nurse's and doctor's second pair of hands. The RNs and MDs will know you and eventually trust you to do a LOT. You won't have this trust and all the hands-on "let me take you under my wing" stuff as a float.

4.) Working with the same RNs and MDs gives you the opportunity to ask LOTs and LOTs of questions because you know them all - and they will take more time to explain things to do as opposed to if you were a float they weren't familiar with

Float Benefits:

1.) Obviously - you get to see all the units

2.) More potentially opportunities to network all over the hospital

3.) More Med-Surg experience

4.) Variety of patients and patient situations

It's important to remember that with either of these positions - you can always transfer to another unit, if a position becomes available and you think you want to leave ER or focus on a specific unit.

Having worked on a unit and in float - I would totally take the ER tech position. You will have WAY more hands on and up close experience then as a float where 70% of the time you are giving bed baths, peri care, answering call lights, or being a sitter. When you earn the trust of the RNs and MDs they will let you help out with complex situations and really take you under their wing. ...that was my experience working in Peds ICU. Now as a float - I'm seen an outsider (by some - not all) and some RNs see me as a nuisance since you don't know all the unit specific things.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2014

On one hand, I would see if you can get any info on whether the ED position will actually materialize. With hospitals, a lot of things can happen like budgets change or suddenly they are over the FTE budgeted for the unit. So I would call and see if you can put some pressure on them. It worked for my ICU RN job because I told them "hey, ER wants me."

At the flip side, I liked working in the ER but working on the floor is very different. I had a struggle switching from ER to the floor and honestly, in a few years I'll go back to the ER if not switch to mobile either at my hospital system or the rival system.