Need Help! Nursing Float Pool or Telemetry???

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please need help! :confused:

hi all, i am a new cna and never worked in healthcare before. i am one of the lucky ones in this economy to find work. i accepted two job offers at two different hospitals, but i don't know which fit would be best for me.

both hospitals are the same amount in travel time from my home.

hospital #1. nursing care technician, nursing float pool, 3-11pm, $11.14 per hr, 40hrs wk

hospital #2. patient care associate, telemetry, 3-11pm, $12.31 per hr, 32hrs wk (i interviewed with the unit and i really like those that i meet).

i've read the post on here about nursing float pool and telemetry and the pros and cons of both. i felt that i should do the nursing float pool so i can get experience working different units. i also don't want to always feel like a total stranger when i am scheduled to work on a unit because i wouldn't know anyone there. but............. i felt because i was new, maybe i should go with the telemetry unit so i can just focus on learning that unit and then transfer after i gain experience, and i can also make friends.

as far as the money, option 1 would be best because i would make more, but i'm thinking about long term what would be best. both hospitals offer assistance if i wanted to further my education and become a rn as well.

just needed some opinions. thanks in advance !!!!!

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Specializes in PCA.

I made a very similar decision. Float pull vs telemetry unit, but at the same hospital. Went with the telemetry, because I like at least some consistency throughout my work days. It was my first job at the hospital so it was nice being on the same floor to learn the ins and outs so that i know where things are, who to ask for what, and get to know some of my team members. Plus I also get to float here and there, when my floor is low census i will sometimes get pulled to another floor. Its fun to mix it up every now and then, but i sometimes get more stressed when im pulled just because i dont know where things are, who people are and what their personality is like, etc. So for me having a home floor is best, i think it just depends on your personality and how flexible you are!

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Did float pool when I was an LVN and I loved it. You never knew where you where going to work and to me that was exciting. You didn't have to put up with the same crabby people all the time! If you had a bad day, you could almost bet that tomorrow you would have a change of scenery. You will get lots of experience working with a variety of patients. Holiday time was great too. You'd hit two or three parties on the different units-lol. You get to know the entire hospital staff which was great. Worked with a lot of great staff.

I wish we had a float pool at my current hospital.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

It really depends on you. If you don't mind being thrown into a different situation with a whole new group of people every time you go to work, then choose the float pool. If you want some consistency in your work day, choose telemetry. Personally when I was PCA in the float pool, I didn't like it...but you may love it. Good luck.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Congrats on finding not one, but two jobs!

In my experience, the float CNAs (and nurses) always got the worst assignments and were generally not treated well. I would go for the tele position, but I love tele. You're the one who has to live with the choice, but as a new CNA, I think it would be better to stay put so that you can learn the ropes in one area.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

My best advice is to take the tele unit. I'm sure you've heard "theres no place like home" and being a float you don't have a home. Don't be intimidated by telemetry, its easy, follow the rules and you'll be "home" free.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

It depends on how you handle stress. Going to a different unit every day may add to some general anxiety of having to learn the unit, learn the staff, and get into the flow of the unit. Tele may offer you more consistency, you will be able to bond with the staff and get to know them (and also be able to get some solid references should you decide to go back to school), and you would already be familiar with the swing of things. There is a lot to be said for being comfortable on ONE unit, but there is also a vast learning experience to be gained from floating.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I was a nursing assistant on a tele floor for a year so my answer may be a bit bias but I loved being on the same floor (especially a cardiac floor) over floating. I HATED being floated to other floors when either my floor census was low or when it closed for 2 weeks.

I loved knowing how the flow of things were and I learned a LOT. Being on a different floor every day, it may be a little harder to build rapport with the nurses, especially to the point of them really actively looking to show you things and talk to you about school and nursing.

Now, I just transferred to the ER in my same hospital but I'm glad that I have my old floor to go to...to see some familiar faces, where EVERYONE knows my name :)

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Thank you all for giving me your opinions and thoughts based on your experience. I decided to take the telemetry unit position. I don't know if I would have survived as a nursing float with being new and all. Yesterday I had to take my drug test, and I received a tetorifice shot, which was optional but free so I did it, lol. I have to go back for my physical exam next Tuesday. I received the official offer through email with a lot of paperwork I have to send in for them. Start date /orientation is Oct. 4th. Can't wait!!!!! :yeah:

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Congrats! I'm sure you will do well!!:yeah:

Didn't the tetorifice shot hurt like the dickens?? OMG..worse shot I ever had!! But, if you go forward with nursing school, it will be a good thing you got it because you will need to have it. And you only need it once every 10 years, so you'll be good for a decade!

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Thank you! OMG, before I even left the facility my arm started hurting :eek:. Heck, it's still hurting today which is 2 days later lol. Your right, I won't have to take it again for another 10 yrs. Just waiting on the background check to clear before I go get scrubs and shoes! Can't wait :)

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