First Nursing Job: Float Pool vs. PCU

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Which job to choose as a brand new nurse???

I recently graduated with my BSN and have been searching for that first nursing job. This past week I got two job offers, both of which I am very excited about! One is in a Progressive Care / Cardiac Step-down Unit and the other is a Float Pool position. Both are new-grad residency positions so I will have a preceptor and extra classes to help me as I start. I feel that the float pool would be a great way to become well-rounded and see lots of stuff, but I also think that working with higher acuity patients in a PCU would be a great opportunity... I just don't feel like I have enough background to know which would be a better first job. Any advice or insight from nurses who have started out or worked at any point in either of these areas is greatly appreciated!!! :) Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Float pool seems like a difficult place to start, but perhaps with a residency and consistent preceptors it will work out. PCU would be easier because while you'd have to learn a lot about cardiac, the patient population would be fairly consistent. With float pool you might be doing rehab on Monday, OB on Tuesday, ER on Wednesday and ICU on Thursday.

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Thanks for the input, I appreciate it! :)

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Specializes in lots of specialties.

To do float pool you really need a lot more experience. It's like being agency. They expect you to be able to hit the ground running with little to no orientation and care for a variety of patients

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