Float nurse vs One unit

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Hello, all! So I've been working on tele unit for almost 2 years now at a small hospital. We deal with a lot of drips and such but the extremely sick patients are either in ICU or get sent out to big hospitals. Today, I interviewed for a position at a big hospital. Online I had applied to their tele unit but during the interview with HR, they mentioned a critical care float nurse that would only float between a tele floor and a stepdown. I stated that I am interested because those are two areas I'm comfortable in but once I got to the interview with the nurse manager, she mentioned I would also be trained in their ICUs. The orientation can be as long as 3 months but they said probably shorter since I have experience. The info was overwhelming and when I got a tour of the units, I saw some things I haven't before. Now I am second guessing myself if I'm ready for this. Do you think it's possible for me to ask to only be on one unit if I were to get an offer?

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Specializes in ER.

Sounds like a great way to get your feet wet with some higher acuity stuff. Go for it!

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Specializes in PICU.

SOunds like a great opportunity. You would get an orientation. Go for it.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Of course it is possible to ask for 1 unit but you may not get the answer you want and they may go with someone else instead. Agree with the other posters that it sounds like a good opportunity. Anything new can be scary but with the training they are offering you can learn what you need to.

Good luck!

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Thank you for the replies! I've been thinking about it and I don't think I'll ever get out of my comfort zone if I don't push myself out. Hopefully it goes well.

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I went into the float pool straight out of school. It was tough as a new nurse, but I learned A LOT and gained valuable experience.

I agree with previous posters; go for it! And you are absolutely correct about getting out of your comfort zone.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

Being a float nurse is amazing, I absolutely love it and wonder how I worked on one floor prior to floating.

In regards to your question if you were offered the float position if you can ask to be on only one unit - you can ask anything you want. Realistically though if the float description involves floating to all the ICUs, they likely wouldn't want to hire you if you showed interested in only floating to one.

I think you should go out of your comfort zone and try it!

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I appreciate the input so much, everyone! I did get an offer and I accepted it. I’m pretty excited but also nervous. Never thought I’d accept a float position.

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Congratulations and best of luck to you!

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