list of ICU float residencies?

[wildnursebrendan]

If anyone knows of Critical Care residencies with a float pool as an option to apply for, or at least include float pool as one of the possible departments of hire, I would love to get a little guidance.

So far I have only found a couple like the University of Utah's where it is one possible department but applicants don't know which critical care department they will be hired to.

I am willing to relocate anywhere, so residencies from anywhere in the country are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[/username, BSN, RN]

Why are you looking for a "residency" ? What's wrong with doing it the way it's been done for years??

[wildnursebrendan]

I'm researching to see what options there are with no expectations of going straight into a float pool residency necessarily. But why should I have to stay in one unit for some amount of time instead of starting as a float? If it's the same hospital all the critical care units will have the same EHR, policies and protocols. Do you think I wouldn't be able to function independently doing it that way?

[/username, BSN, RN]

Float pool positions are like internal traveling nurses. You are a new grad. While new grads get into critical care all the time, it's virtually impossible to secure a travel nurse job without experience. This is because they expect you to perform independently with little to no orientation.

It is extremely irresponsible and arrogant to think you are going to have the competence and knowledge to practice safely as a new grad on a critical care float pool.

As an aside, there's likely a really good reason why you haven't been able to find something like this. You probably don't how now, but will probably see how I'm right in a couple years.

[wildnursebrendan]

University of Utah emailed back and said they do place new grads in the float pool if that's where openings are. I wasn't arguing with you, just asking if you think I wouldn't be able to function independently because float pools don't have enough structure and mentorship or what. I know there is a lot to learn and if starting in a float position would inhibit my skill development I won't do it. 18 months to figure it out, and I'll keep polling people. Thanks for the input though I think I see what you mean.

[/username, BSN, RN]

If they take new grads into the float pool then they likely habe good training. It will provably be med surg though. If you really want to do float pool and they have the appropriate mentoring and training in place, go for it.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

Float pool nurses are expected to hit the ground running. They are placed on a unit that is short staffed and won't have time for much of the niceties of a formal orientation. You work with people you haven't gotten to know well and won't know you. Things they might let slide with a known co-worker will make you a target of criticism. Yes, it works against a unit that needs you but it will happen. You have to know your stuff clinically and be able to handle the social land mines without alienating the people you need or being a further burden to them.

That's where experience comes in. You don't need coddling and can handle awkward interactions without getting your panties in a bunch and crying "they're being mean to me". You are supposed to be the solution to their problem not a fountain of further problems.

That is a mighty tall order for a new grad.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I have to side with the majority here; I'm guessing the reason there aren't many new grad ICU float programs is because it isn't a great idea. Especially in the field of critical care where the learning curve is incredibly steep, you'd probably be better off having the educational continuity of a single home unit your first year.

That said, I have heard of a handful of programs in which you are hired into a service line (i.e. intensive care, psych, peds, OB, ED) and rotate through the various departments before you are 'matched' with your ultimate home unit. For instance, if you were hired into the critical care service line, you'd have brief rotations in the cardiac ICU, medical ICU, surgical ICU, and neuro/trauma ICU before ultimately being placed into your final 'home unit' to complete your extensive orientation. Matches are made primarily based on unit hiring needs, with consideration to finding a 'good fit.' In that set up, once you feel comfortable in your 'home unit' the float pool may be an easy transition since you'd have some exposure to the other units.

Here's one such program I found while applying for new grad programs a few years ago (side note: I know very little about the actual hospital or adult ICU program since I was only interested in the OB/NICU service line, and I accepted a job elsewhere).

Residency of Critical Care Nursing - Cone Health

Best of luck.

[wildnursebrendan]

Thank you, good points from everyone. I've been working critical care for awhile just as a CNA and feel very comfortable with floating due to working agency at other hospitals. I realize that the learning curve is steeper in ICU than other departments and that just because I've been studying hard and asking questions for a long time doesn't mean it will be easy. The hospital I currently work at is very supportive of nurses who float to their unit, so I feel like a resilient adaptable new grad could learn about as much that way as they could from being in the same department, but I do believe there's something to be said for having a "home" unit in the beginning. I will do my senior practicum in an ICU and see how I feel. Thanks for the link also adventure_rn.

[onajourney]

Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO has a float pool ICU residency!