New Grad...Float Pool or Acute Care Unit?

[jc317]

Hello all,

I am a recently graduated new nurse who has just been offered my first position and may receive another offer. Although it is hypothetical at this point...I'm trying to think through which job I will choose if I am given that amazing option.

Job 1) New Graduate nurse residency program- Position is Women and Children's Float Pool which will include labor delivery, mother baby, NICU and peds. I wil get 8 weeks of precepted experience in each unit prior to being on my own. Residency program has a good reputation and I have a few friends in it for other units, who feel very supported and like it a lot. 45-60 minute commute from home for a 7pm-7:30am shift x3/week but with a place to stay there in town on too tired days.

Job 2) New Graduate nurse residency program- Position is Infant/Toddler unit at a children's hospital. Residency program is a total of 14 weeks with some classroom experience and precepted experience on the floor. Also has a great reputation and is in my home town so no commute. 7pm- 7:30 am shift x3/week. Starts 3 weeks later than Job 1 (and only 2 weeks before my first big nursing school loan payment is due).

Pay is initially less at Job 2 (just for the duration of the residency program) but will end up being the same once I begin working the nigh shift.

Here are my initial thoughts....

-My primary interest has been in pediatrics and the majority of my clinical experience has been in pediatrics. Both of these jobs would be amazing options and I don't think I'd be unhappy at either one...but Job 1 offers me a chance to do what I love and also explore other areas of interest.

-I'm a little nervous to be in the float pool as a new grad...but also really like that I would learn SO much and that hopefully, since it is a residency program, I would be well supported while doing so.

-The commute would suck and is definitely a factor...as it is a 2 year contract.

-One of the things I most love about pediatrics is the variety of ages of my patients and the straight peds unit does not offer that as they organize by age.

-I am currently in a serious relationship and living with my partner but we do not have children- probably will within a few years...so if I'm going to take a commuter/challenging job, now is the time to grab it.

Any thoughts for me to help me make this potential decision? All are welcome and helpful. Thank you!

[RunBabyRN]

it sounds like your heart is in peds. If offered the peds job, take it!!

I keep posting threads like this, too. I'm going through a dilemma similar to this, except that they're the same type of unit. Gah!!

Good luck whatever you decide! :)

[jc317]

I guess that's what I'm struggling with a little. In Job 1, I still get to do peds but I also get to learn so many other things about other areas I do have an interest in! And yet, I'd probably love job 2 and the non-commute is definitely a plus. But...it doesn't feel cut and dry!

[jc317]

Oh and thank you! Good luck to you too!

I'd go for the float position if they're going to give you 8 weeks in each department for orientation.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

If you can handle the commute I would go with job 1. Because of how much precepted time you will get in each unit.

It would give you a chance to explore all areas and later on if you wanted to stay in a different area like mother baby or NICU ( 2 areas that are hard to get into even with experience) you will have had the orientation and experience in those areas.

Both options sound great. The commute could get old after a few months, but it sounds like a great opportunity.

[ThatBigGuy]

Is the 45-60 minute commute one way? If so, please take job #2 for the sake of your patients and other drivers.

You'll never get off work at 7:30, so plan on being there until at least 8. Take the hour drive home, shower, eat, chit-chat with your significant other, wind down, and go to bed....at around 11. If you're a good sleeper, you'll get 5 hours of sleep, before you wake up at 4 in order to eat breakfast, pack your lunch, say hi to your significant other, get gas, leave at 5:30 in order to arrive at work at 6:30, because if you show up at 7 sharp, you'll miss the pre-shift huddle and pt assignments. That third shift gets pretty long when you're working off 15 hours of sleep in the last 3 days.

Heaven forbid your neighbor's dog likes to bark all day, or your upstairs neighbor is a drummer for a metal band.

If you don't transition well for sleeping during the day, things will be worse. Wikipedia says Portland gets measurable rainfall 155 days of the year, so add on an extra 15-20 mins for 42% of your commutes. I hope you're not driving a Hummer, because your gas bills would be intense.

I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but do you see how things could add up?

As far as the actual jobs are concerned, there are two schools of thought on float pool nurses. #1 is that they are awesome because they have such a broad base of experience. #2 is that they are jack of all trades, but master of none. Generally you can become the former by pushing yourself to be exceptional, but that will take much more time and effort than becoming exceptional in one area.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Take job number 2. No commute and it is Peds. Being float pool as a new grad can be difficult. Why not focus on peds for right now.

[RunBabyRN]

Is the 45-60 minute commute one way? If so, please take job #2 for the sake of your patients and other drivers.

You'll never get off work at 7:30, so plan on being there until at least 8. Take the hour drive home, shower, eat, chit-chat with your significant other, wind down, and go to bed....at around 11. If you're a good sleeper, you'll get 5 hours of sleep, before you wake up at 4 in order to eat breakfast, pack your lunch, say hi to your significant other, get gas, leave at 5:30 in order to arrive at work at 6:30, because if you show up at 7 sharp, you'll miss the pre-shift huddle and pt assignments. That third shift gets pretty long when you're working off 15 hours of sleep in the last 3 days.

Heaven forbid your neighbor's dog likes to bark all day, or your upstairs neighbor is a drummer for a metal band.

If you don't transition well for sleeping during the day, things will be worse. Wikipedia says Portland gets measurable rainfall 155 days of the year, so add on an extra 15-20 mins for 42% of your commutes. I hope you're not driving a Hummer, because your gas bills would be intense.

I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but do you see how things could add up?

As far as the actual jobs are concerned, there are two schools of thought on float pool nurses. #1 is that they are awesome because they have such a broad base of experience. #2 is that they are jack of all trades, but master of none. Generally you can become the former by pushing yourself to be exceptional, but that will take much more time and effort than becoming exceptional in one area.

This is the big thing about the float pool. These first years are when you should be honing your skills and really mastering some stuff.

[cynmrn]

I would definitely take job #2. While the first job sounds like an amazing opportunity, I don't think the commute would be worth it. Before you actually have to work and do it, commuting always sounds doable, but in my experience, in reality, it just wears on you. I don't think I could put up with that for two years. In my opinion, you would be better served at learning the ropes of one unit than trying to get acquainted to four new ones at a time, too.

[jc317]

Thanks for all the responses! Many of you are echoing my thoughts, though I'm still torn especially since I have family to stay with in town on days I didn't want to commute...