Float pool right out of school?

Myself and 26 others did it at my hospital. We were a cohort. I think how it's done makes a big difference. I did 16 shifts with a preceptor on one unit and then 3 precept education shifts everywhere else. For the first 3 months after I wasn't floated off my assignment. It worked well and I love it. I have learned way more than most RNs who have similar experience. I can go anywhere in my hospital and fit in, they all know me. I understand how everything works which I think is phenomenal. But my hospital was dedicated to making their float pool and new grads work out. You have to ask a lot of questions about how you will be treated. 4 of the 27 took positions on units, and 2 quit in 2 years. It wasn't always easy. But the truth is you are going to have bad days, you just will. No matter where you work, you have to have an honest conversation with yourself about why. Most of mine were random luck of draw. Sure a few times I felt a little dumped on but so do most people.

Many hospitals in my part of the country are using this method to provide new grads with employment opportunities when they don't have any other openings. Usually, the new grad begins in the float pool with an orientation plan similar to the one that PP outlined. When a permanent job becomes open on a nursing unit, internal candidates are given first consideration and the new grads in float pool are encouraged to apply.