Is a New Grad qualified for Pool/Float/ or Per Diem?

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Hi All!

I am wondering if new grads (though I am not one), could be qualified in any specialty really (but especially for some fields such as home health, hospice, LTC) for a Pool/Float/Per Diem schedule. I am trying to see how realistic it is for a new grad to possibly land this sort of scheduling opportunity, or even upon completing a new grad program. Do these areas typically require a lot of years of experience? Or can new grads come out of graduating and passing their NCLEX with an opportunity to actually work a part time load rather than full time?

FYI, I ask this because though I do want to get as Much experience as possible during and after my studies, I don't financially Need to work FT, AND more importantly, I'd want to spend more time with my kids at home. So working Pool with say 6 req'd shifts per mo, would be so lovely you know? Just wanna know how realistic this is. I appreciate your feedback & knowledge on this!

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You can usually take a part time position, as opposed to full time, if the facility you are applying to offers it as an option....however I'm pretty sure you cannot do float or per diem without prior experience. I know the facilities I have worked at do not allow it, but some might.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I am orienting right now as a new grad and will be PRN Float once done. However, I worked there as a CNA before becoming an RN. My friend may be getting a PRN job at a different facility and only has a few months experience in a different facility. So, yes, it can happen but is not very common. Most of the time you have to have experience or already have worked at a facility to get PRN or even part time.

When the time comes if that is all you want to work though, then look specifically for PRN and float positions that dont require experience. They will usually say 1+ years experience preferred instead of required on positions that new grads can apply to.

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I am orienting right now as a new grad and will be PRN Float once done. However, I worked there as a CNA before becoming an RN. My friend may be getting a PRN job at a different facility and only has a few months experience in a different facility. So, yes, it can happen but is not very common. Most of the time you have to have experience or already have worked at a facility to get PRN or even part time.

When the time comes if that is all you want to work though, then look specifically for PRN and float positions that dont require experience. They will usually say 1+ years experience preferred instead of required on positions that new grads can apply to.

That's really helpful thank you! Makes me consider going ahead and completing some cna training so I can gain work experience while doing pre reqs. That would be great experience to have that I could build on. Thx so much for that info & idea!

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I too am hoping for a PRN opportunity out of school. I have two little ones and think it would be a win win for the nurses who need time off and keeping up with my own mommy duties :) Whether I will have enough knowledge to be hired PRN initially is my concern. To hear that others have is encouraging!

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Most places want a year or two of experience for per diem or float pool. But some hospitals may hire new grads...if they're desperate. Kind of like my hospital. They just hired a bunch of new grads or nurses with no hospital experience for float pool. Sorry but I feel it's a bad idea to put new grads on float pool. I mean you learn a lot seeing how different units work but I feel like you have to stay on one unit for at least a year so you have a routine and be more comfortable. We have a bunch of new grads for float pull orienting now and I can see them struggling, already in tears and wanting to quit. Only been 2 weeks for them

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wat hospital is this private message please :)

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

HonorHealth actually just posted a new grad float pool position. But it is not PRN. Just to update.

I do partially agree with an above poster that float pool is not for everyone. PRN is fine as long as you are doing a shift a week to keep building experience and knowledge. But, even some experienced nurses have trouble with floating. .

I personally love floating. I like the change of environment and patient population. It keeps things interesting and I pick things up quickly and am pretty adaptable. It's not for everyone though and it's ok if some people just can't do it well.

Just something to keep in mind.

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HonorHealth actually just posted a new grad float pool position. But it is not PRN. Just to update.

I do partially agree with an above poster that float pool is not for everyone. PRN is fine as long as you are doing a shift a week to keep building experience and knowledge. But, even some experienced nurses have trouble with floating. .

I personally love floating. I like the change of environment and patient population. It keeps things interesting and I pick things up quickly and am pretty adaptable. It's not for everyone though and it's ok if some people just can't do it well.

Just something to keep in mind.

Hi! I'd love your honest opinion, because I am curious now...This type of scheduling in Psych would be ideal for me as a new grad. I have a B.S in Psychology emphasis in Counseling, and 1 year experience in Residential Care with youth (under 17 yo). It was RCL 14, in other words it was a high level (the highest level before being admitted to a locked down facility) in-home treatment providing mental health services. Although this work experience was not as a RN, I spent a year of passing medications, logging about patient behavior (literally) every 15 mins, using verbal deescalation techniques (we sat in many trainings for this), and also having to do plenty of physical restraints. I would like to think that this experience would be useful in my job search as a new grad. Do you think odds would be greater of actually landing a job offer with this type of scheduling with all of this behind my name? Thx for your help! You guys have been Really helpful!

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