Dumb ? from a new nurse. What does "floating pool" mean?

Nurses New Nurse

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I've seen a couple of jobs listed for FT "floating pool", and I'm not sure what that is. I assume they just send you to whichever unit needs help that particular day? But if it's FT, how do they know they'll need you? Wanted to clarify what this is before I apply.

Thanks!

Floater here. LOVE it. I get to go to different units. I just jump right in. From tele to post partum to psych to medsurg to acute rehab to tcu to outpatient. I love outpatient. Admission and discharge. It is a fast track. It is exciting. The draw back in float is if it low census, then I have to use my pto. But sometimes they are short staffed on my days off and post partum and outpatient calls staffing and ask for me. Love the adventure. I love the daily change. I must be nuts. :-)

True hehe. Im a float pool. Sometimes I see a friend floating to acute rehab from medsurg. It is different of course, but I get to set their heart at peace and let that person know the staff is great and help them through the day. It just becomes a beautiful day of ministry, helping those who are i need of us nurses. Nurses are molded by God in a very special way in heaven. Nurses are God's beautiful angels with invisible wings and beautiful hearts and ears and eyes and mind. We are God's rainbows for those with clouds hanging above them.

Firstly, don't listen to what all is said on this forum. Every opinion is different. I started as a new grad in the float pool, HRP- House Resource Pool, Central Staffing. It gives a new nurse a wonderful "base" of nursing knowledge! It is difficult because you have to know a great deal in such a short amount of time. I always joked that I "know a little, about a lot". I think this is great because it exposes new nurses to a wide variety of nursing knowledge. Yes it is hard as a new grad, 1: because we are learning about nursing itself but 2:, we are are expected to learn all the units of the hospital. this could be a pro or a con. If you are strong and can adapt to change and have flexibility, then this is the place for you.

Yes you won't have the "home environment" that units get, but you won't get dragged into the "unit drama " either. you will know all the employees of the hospital and that is a great thing. As your longevity grows, so will know your knowledge and other departments and RN's will depend on your knowledge. you will see what departments you like and ones you don't and eventually you will determine if you want to be a "float" full time or you will like a certain unit that you will want to call "home"

I believe that a float position is great for a new nurse because it will give you so much nursing knowledge that you can carry on in the future. I won't deny that it is more stressful for a new grad but if you can make the cut, Float Pool is the way to go!!

I was a new grad and was a float nurse for 4.5 year when I discovered Emergency Department Nursing was the right fit for me and I transferred to the ED Department, with this , I bring a certain amount of nursing knowledge that is welcomed to the ED .

GO FOR IT!!

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