Frustrated getting back into the hospital

[nurseklg]

I have been in home health for about 3 years now and I'm OVER IT! Previously I worked in a medical step down unit with high acuity, ventilated patients for 2 years and prior to that I worked on a Med-Surg/Pediatric floor (not fun switching from Peds to adults all night).

I desperately want to get into the float pool but am having problems since I don't have any "recent" hospital experience. I am a Registered Nurse - I have not forgotten my skills by any means! I can hit the ground running.

Has anyone else had this problem? I really don't want to go back to a staff nurse position on a floor. Pay is horrible!!

[nynursey_]

Sounds like your resume needs a lot more beefing up. In the hospital setting, if it isn't recent experience, then you have to sell yourself hard. Best of luck!

[AJJKRN]

I don't think that it's your skills that are not up to snuff, it's more like getting used to becoming a hospital nurse without being used to that specific hospital. Their charting (electronic I'm hoping), their protocols, their employee expectations, being and performing as their imagined employee, etc.

I don't know how many times I given a preceptor advice that when orienting a "seasoned" nurse from an outside entity that they don't have to teach them how to be a nurse, but they do have to teach them how to be a "insert entity name here" nurse!

Also, as a float nurse myself, we would never take a candidate from the outside that didn't have hospital experience or hospital float experience either! You're going to be expected to be acclimated in just a few shifts where I work, as opposed to a full three month orientation and residency program for new grads or new to the hospital that you would get if applying to a specific floor.

My suggestion would be to get hired onto a floor, get your bearings, and then try for the float pool. I think you'll increase your chances ten-fold!