Float Pool Nurse Residency Program

[Dandelion_]

Hello!

I am unsure whether to take a position I have been offered in a nurse residency float pool program. In this program, the novice nurse is cross trained on 4-5 units through the float pool. In the event that the novice like a floor or is asked by staff to remain there, they can stay on the unit for the rest of the residency. Otherwise, the novice can choose which unit to finish their residency on after cross training. There are regular meetings with other new grads and an EBP project.

I was initially very excited to be offered this. However, after sharing with my colleagues, I've been scoffed at.

I thought this would be a great opportunity since I will get to see if I actually like working on the unit and with the staff before I commit to a unit for 2 years.

Are there any nurses who can offer their opinions? Thank you. I really appreciate it.

[brownbook]

I have always floated. Floated as a new grad, floated when there was no official float pool, was always the first to volunteer when patient census vs nursing staff necessitated someone float.

I have worked every department in the hospital, except as an OR circulator.

I worked per diem the last 10 years and was called into work when regular staff were sent home because they wouldn't float.

I am not a brilliant nurse who knows everything and therefore can function perfectaly wherever you put me. I am not especially assertive or good at socializing.

In spite of off this I have loved floating, have never had a problem, have never been dumped on by the regular staff.

I feel less pressure when I float because I don't feel stupid to say to doctors, co-workers, even patients, that I am a float thus I don't know...adding I will find out, or get someone to help you.

Put nurses floating in the Allnurses search box. Unfortunately I am afraid you will find about 80% of nurses are against floating, especially for new grads, but read the positive posts about floating.

Tell your colleagues to "scoff" away when you have a wonderful interesting nursing career while they languish away in the first unit they got hired in and are afraid to try new things.

I am positive Christopher Columbus was "scoffed" at .

[JKL33]

I can appreciate the experiences brownbook shares above, but my concern is that it seems there are people who will thrive under those circumstances...and many more who don't. It's a great way to get an idea of the variety and the options available to you if you're one of those people who have the ability to go with the flow and who has a solid enough knowledge base to practice safely as a novice and beginner under those circumstances.

Separately, I would worry about the 2 year commitment. Whether you would ever consider yourself a "quitter" or a job-hopper (or not) becomes irrelevant if the circumstances you are put into turn out to be unacceptable.

Lastly, which colleagues have scoffed at you? This is important because if you're referring to fellow new RNs who are seeking first positions, that it somewhat different than if, say, you are already employed at the institution offering the residency and the colleagues to whom you refer are RNs already working there. KWIM?

If you're honest about your personality and strengths/weakness I'm sure you'll make the decision that's best for you - - and at that point don't worry what any scoffers might say!

Good luck ~