Float Pool

[PhillyQueenRN]

So I was just recently hired as a float pool nurse for two different departments. Both departments I have experience in but only one of them I consider myself an expert meaning that I haven been consistently working in that department for several years at at time. When I interviewed I was under the impression that I would be floating to both departments on a regular basis but as time went on I see that one of the departments that I float to is chronically understaff meaning that everyday they are short at least 3-6 nurses. The other department that I can float too tends to be well staffed and rarely ever needs an additional nurse.  I am a little disappointed because I was looking forward to being an active member of both units. however I can see clearly that won't be the case anytime soon. My question is why would a company hire me to be a float pool nurse if they knew that I would hardly ever float to the other department? The chronically understaffed department has a high turnover rate also. Why didn't they just hire a nurse to work primarily in that unit. I kinda feel deceived. It's also making me feel like leaving the job and going elsewhere. 

[Davey Do]

5 minutes ago, PhillyQueenRN said:

 My question is why would a company hire me to be a float pool nurse if they knew that I would hardly ever float to the other department? The chronically understaffed department has a high turnover rate also. Why didn't they just hire a nurse to work primarily in that unit. I kinda feel deceived. 

As you should, PhillyQueen.

It sounds as though it's a bait and switch situation, but they can still have you around in case they want or need to use you.

Good luck!

[amoLucia]

Perhaps they are anticipating some imminent staffing loss on that other unit??? You wouldn't be privy to that kind of advance knowledge.

So maybe they're just stacking their deck...

[PhillyQueenRN]

They were also being very stingy with orientation, I understand we are in a pandemic and getting nurses up and running as soon as possible is critical but why do I have to beg and plead to get a decent amount of orientation to work in " 2" different departments. Even If I was being hired to work for just one department I would have gotten way more orientation than they were offering me in the beginning. Not to mention there is a bonus involved. I'm thinking that I may not even take it because I'm feeling a bit discouraged. 

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

There's a few explanations - could it be possible that the one unit you are going to right now is having its "peak" season? When I was hired as a float nurse in another facility I was told I would float to all acute care floors AND all critical care floors - I quickly realized that during Winter/respiratory season, I spent pretty much every single shift in critical care. But during "slow" season, I would have more of a mix of floors.