Pool & Staff Nurse??

[ToyaB]

Hey All!

I'm just entering my nursing program and learning different terms and positions. I was wondering if it were possible to be both a staff nurse and a pool nurse. I mean, it sounds plausible. If I understand correctly, a pool nurse generally picks up shifts as needed with there being a minimum number of shifts she is required to pick up.

Is is possible to be a staff nurse, say workiing (3) 12 hours shifts and picking up pool nurse shifts as you please in the meantime?? I guess what I'm asking is... As a pool nurse, can you select your availability so that it's possible to have both a PRN position and a standard shift as a staff nurse?

How about if your position as a staff nurse has a rotating schedule? Is is still possible?

Is anyone out there doing this?? I appreciate any information!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

It is possible, many nurses work through nursing staffing agencies which can assign them to various areas of the hospitals. However, this sort of job is not a good option for a new grad, as most pool or agency positions want a nurse with at least 1-2 years experience.

Is there a reason you are so interested in float pool nursing?

[RNperdiem, RN]

For nurses full time who really like extra work, the options are to work per diem for another hospital or pick up overtime shifts on your unit. Where I work, you are also allowed to pick up overtime on other units you are qualified to work on.

Of course, overtime and per diem nurses are the first ones called off and told to stay home if the census or acuity drops and the department has more nurses working than needed.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Holding a staff nurse position will give you first dibs on overtime.

You will not be paid the same rate as pool or agency. You are simply first in line and last to be cancelled.

Pool and agency are considered outside staff by the facility.

[ToyaB]

Thanks for responding guys!

ChristineN, I'm not necessarily interested in being a pool nurse per say. My thoughts are OVERTIME!!. Of course I'd like to be a staff nurse because I'd want standard hours, but I'm also thinking about paying off these student loans as quickly as possible and I was wondering if being a staff nurse AND a pool nurse were possible for overtime purposes. But RNperdiem's idea makes more sense now that I'm thinking of it. It would make more sense to pick up shifts as you can (no obligations) on your own unit or others you're 'approved' for instead of getting an entirely different position with mandatory minimums. I also like what Beenthere said about having priority over pool, which makes sense.

I'm just being pre-hype. Looking ahead a little.

Thanks again for the insight guys!

[ukjenn231]

usually "pool" gets paid higher per hour and does not get full benefit package, although I have seen some pools at hospitals that are benefited. The pool nurses usually aren't guaranteed hours. Normally you can't do both but as others have said even if you work on one particular floor, if you can communicate to the powers at be that you are available to work then you will be able to pick up extra. The only time I saw nurses be staff AND pool were when they held weekend only positions, and then they work pool during the week.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for responding guys!

ChristineN, I'm not necessarily interested in being a pool nurse per say. My thoughts are OVERTIME!!. Of course I'd like to be a staff nurse because I'd want standard hours, but I'm also thinking about paying off these student loans as quickly as possible and I was wondering if being a staff nurse AND a pool nurse were possible for overtime purposes. But RNperdiem's idea makes more sense now that I'm thinking of it. It would make more sense to pick up shifts as you can (no obligations) on your own unit or others you're 'approved' for instead of getting an entirely different position with mandatory minimums. I also like what Beenthere said about having priority over pool, which makes sense.

I'm just being pre-hype. Looking ahead a little.

Thanks again for the insight guys!

At my hospital, we have a frequently updated list on-line of what units need a nurse and for what day/shift. Anyone can sign up for any floor that they have been trained to work on, or that is similar to their floor. Since I used to do non-ICU float, I can sign up for overtime on any any unit except for the ICU's.

Other hospitals don't make it as convenient and don't have an online listing of overtime opportunities. My one nurse friend loves overtime so what he does is tells his hospital staffing office he would like overtime on other floors and if they need a nurse somewhere they call him.

[ToyaB]

At my hospital, we have a frequently updated list on-line of what units need a nurse and for what day/shift. Anyone can sign up for any floor that they have been trained to work on, or that is similar to their floor. Since I used to do non-ICU float, I can sign up for overtime on any any unit except for the ICU's.

Other hospitals don't make it as convenient and don't have an online listing of overtime opportunities. My one nurse friend loves overtime so what he does is tells his hospital staffing office he would like overtime on other floors and if they need a nurse somewhere they call him.

I hope whereever I end up has a system like that. That sounds ideal for sure. I like the idea of being able to look and see what's open. I'm not such a fan of recieving calls because I'd probably say no to about 50 percent of those last minute requests and I'd end up feeling bad.

In any case, I'd put my name out there because I'd definitely want to do at least one additional per week.