Moving to larger facility, float pool LONG

Hi everyone,

It's been AGES since I've been here, life has been very hectic this year. I put off writing this because I didn't want to only be here when something was wrong, but I can't help it. I need to hear from anyone who has experienced what I am getting ready to experience.

I have worked my entire nursing career (about 3 years) at a small community hospital. I have become very comfortable there, know what I am supposed to do, all my coworkers, all the docs, the patients, etc. I know how to do my job and feel I do it well for my level of experience. I really love what I do, as well.

I have lately been feeling very dissatisfied with my place of employment. I haven't been feeling we have been getting the backing of upper management for one. I work a med/surg floor and we are constantly getting dumped on by other departments even though for the last season we have been constantly running on full capacity ourselves. I work nights and we are expected to run to the pharmacy for the ER because they can't leave the floor in case something comes in. And it's okay for me to leave MY pts?? Other departments transfer pts to us when they are too busy. When do WE get to do that? NEVER. Mgmt says they will "look into things." NOT. The last two snow storms we had, I packed and came in and stayed both times for three days because not only do I NOT drive in bad weather, I know other people don't either and I wanted to help out. I never got even a thank you, which is okay, but when I was sick after staying there and working for days, they were pretty ugly when I called in. And I think the closeness of my unit is getting to me, people think they can say anything they want to to me (and to each other) because everyone knows everyone else's business. Sounds like I'm pretty unhappy as I reread what I'm writing! Also for family reasons, I really need to work days.

I got so fed up that I went on an interview at another hospital, MUCH larger, a little farther away. It's a float pool position and the base rate is a little higher than what I currently make. I have accepted the job and start in the middle of march after about a two week break. I've already worked the last day with my old employer.

I was so excited at first. I felt like I would get a lot of experience I would never get where I am now. And I felt that float pool would be perfect for me because I wouldn't have to get all involved in the politics.

Now I am starting to really be scared. I've left the only place I know, where I KNOW I can do my job well. I've never been involved in a code and am terrified. And I'll probably go months without seeing the same face twice. All the things that first appealed to me now are scaring me to death. What if I am in over my head?

So, I'd like to hear some experiences from anyone who's either moved to a much larger facility or works float pool. Both of these are new experiences for me. I'd like to have a little bit of an idea what to expect. I'm sure the mentality will be completely different there. I don't know. I'm just sick at the thought of it now. I'm even starting to think that my old job wasn't so bad and I should stay where I am. I feel comfortable there, anyway. Know what to expect. Maybe if I change my attitude, I can feel better about being there. ACK!