Float Pool, CNA

[NTechTruth]

I have been trying to find a full time job right now, but really no luck. I have tried places from surgery, to central sterile tech, to even an environmental aide, but still I get denied. What's funny is that I have had 7 years experience working at a hospital, a first time job at a hospital of all places, and I still get denied. I don't understand what the employees are looking for, because I have plenty of experience in the healthcare field. What's funny is that I applied to the places even the hospital where I work at!

But after some thinking, I decided to apply for float pool. Why, because I have lots of experience in floating.

On my unit before I transitioned to another job, I was floated once every week to another unit. The first time I did that, it was hard, because the unit I worked at was a rehab unit, and it was a WHOLE different experience. In rehab, I only took vitals once every 12 hours and had to round. It was a laid back floor, even if it was busy. And I usually had a few patients, but when I floated, I had about 15 patients, and I had to take vitals every four hours, which was hard. I hated floating when I first started, but in time, I got in the routine of it, and there were times where I wanted to float instead of being on my unit. Especially days on weekend, because I had to get almost all of my patients ready for weekend therapy, and it was pretty bad. That's one of the reasons why I will NOT work as a day cna anymore.

For a while, I have been debating whether to apply for night shift again because of float pool. And today, I decided to apply, because I think floating is the best thing for me right now.

Having to go through it already many times, I have lots of experience floating days and nights, and I think it's better for me to experience different things.

Even going to another department in my unit, I just feel that I'm not going anywhere anymore. I feel like I have been taken advantage of by my supervisor, because I have worked so hard and it doesn't seem to matter to her. She always feels like I have to do something and orders me around, and not in a nice way. She can be nice if she HAS to, but otherwise I don't want to work for her anymore. I feel like being on both sides of the unit isn't enough for me anymore, and my heart's not into it.

For floating, I know there's risks of being on the floor all by myself, as I have experienced it many times. Yes, I do feel bad that I can't give the best of care, but now I understand I must do what I can. If something wrong happens, I did what I could, and they can't take the blame on me. If it's fully staffed, then that's another story. Plus, there's risk that they will give me the crappy assignments, but hey, who said any work was going to be easy?

I know that the hours may not be available, but for now that's not an issue, until something happens. But I know for a fact that they need people right now.

The big plus side for me,is that I am already there working at the hospital, so there's a greater chance that I will get the position, and I already know most of the hospital.

Another factor is that I don't have to answer to anyone but the hospital. Honestly, I am a person who wants to work and go home, and I don't like all the group stuff, like taking pictures, hanging out with staff in and out of work, gossip, and the drama/politics. I like to talk to co workers, but most of the time most of them just talk a lot and I don't like engaging with that. I just want to do my work, and go home.

I do hear that I can make my own schedule, and that will come in handy for me, because I do plan on taking a trip some where and with my current job, I don't think that's possible.

The pay is a lot better too, so as I hear. I really need a higher paying job again as I got a car, and I want to get some kind of affordable health insurance. I know they may not provide benefits, but if I can get something, then that's something for me.

Sitting, the best thing about floating. Watching a patient for 12 hours is something I like to do. One on one care for me is easier, as I only have to focus on the one patient. I know I may be pulled over to other units, but I feel like I like to work at different places.

I feel this is the right move for me, because of my experiences in the past. And I do feel confident about it. I know there will be hard days but at some point we have to grow up.

If any cna has been in float pool, can you tell me your experiences?