New Grad Float?

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Need some advice please!

Im a new RN grad and was offered a position for 3 shifts a week which I dont mind but the dilemma is it's basically a float position which I am very iffy about being that I am new. My questions are:

1. Has anyone floated as a newbie on med surg?

2. Is floating as a new grad a disaster trap?

3. Im leaning towards taking it simply b/c i need to get working already. Day shift is 730-4pm and evening is 330-12mid which would be a better shift? I prefer days but because of this floating thing im thinking days would be too hectic. Any advice? :confused:

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
need some advice please!

im a new rn grad and was offered a position for 3 shifts a week which i dont mind but the dilemma is it's basically a float position which i am very iffy about being that i am new. my questions are:

1. has anyone floated as a newbie on med surg?

yes, it's been done. not well by anyone i know, though.

2. is floating as a new grad a disaster trap?

yes

3. im leaning towards taking it simply b/c i need to get working already. day shift is 730-4pm and evening is 330-12mid which would be a better shift? i prefer days but because of this floating thing im thinking days would be too hectic.

neither shift will work well (because it is a very bad job for a new grad), so if you truly believe that you have no other options, then take the hours that you would prefer.

any advice?

yes. run like the wind.

no reputable facility would hire a new grad into a float position. simply that this job exists makes me quite certain that this is not a good place to work.

new grads need a thorough orientation and at least a year of mentoring on a consistent unit in order to learn organization, time management, prioritization, care of a specific patient population, teamwork, politics, etc. none of this happens in a float position.

i wish you the best of luck and sincerely hope that you find a better opportunity.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

AS I posted previously, I am currently working in the nursing resource team in a community hospital and I am finding it really difficult to feel comfortable in. I am craving being part of a team and knowing the nurses I work with. I need a home base and a safe secure environment to grow as a nurse. With that being said, I still want to work on a unit where I can sharpen my skills like med/surg or ccc. I went into this position because I was not sure where I wanted to work upon graduation and thought this would be a good way to get an overall view on what I liked and didn't like. Well I found out I don't like floating and that's for sure. I am preparing an email to my supervisor explaining the situation and am hoping to have a transfer provided ASAP. Overall I should have listened to all the nurses who told me that float nursing for new grads is a stress ball waiting to happen and is better for more experienced nurses who are bored.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

Ive heard from many people that floating as a new nurse is a bad idea because you never get comfortable in 1 area. Let us know what you decide!

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