Soon to be grad looking for advice

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 30, 2012

Float pool is not a good place to learn how to be a nurse. In fact, they may not even accept new grads. Work somewhere to learn the ropes, then begin to float. You have to work independently as a float nurse and the environment is always changing. Can be stressful until you get the "basics" down pat. Good luck!!

cmcb2006 · Apr 30, 2012

My hospital is actually thinking about making all new grads begin in the float pool. This will likely not occur until the following semester or year but is being considered....

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

Some of our new grad programs here locally have a "float pool" mentality new grad program. You are hired into a specialty (say, Cardiac) and then they float you all over the cardiac floors for six months so you learn the ins and outs of the specialty. But I can't imagine floating everywhere doing all kinds of different stuff on a day to day basis as a new grad. I'd be lost!!!!

Apply for the jobs you want. :)

allnurses Guide · Apr 30, 2012

Apply for every job you see. Take the one that is actually offered to you. Congrats on graduating.

LynnLRN · Apr 30, 2012

I think there are benefits to doing either option. So I say go with whatever job you get or if you are offered both go with the one that best fits your personality. Float pool is good for people who have a flexible personality and are not timid. You have to be a go getter kind of. Like you can't be afraid of things you haven't seen before and you need good communication skills where you aren't afraid to talk to others and ask for help. Now if you are a creature of habit and need structure I would not become a float pool nurse. So with that said we do not know your personality and what kind of environment you do best in so only you can make this decision.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

I can't imagine working in a float pool as a new grad. Any nurse I know who works in a float pool says they will never go back to working on a floor permanently again- they get to go to work, take care of their patients and leave without any involvement in floor drama/politics- but you need to be a pretty competent and confident nurse in order to do that.

sauconyrunner · Apr 30, 2012

No to the float pool. That is an insane idea. As a new Grad you are going to need to have people to be your resource each and every time you encounter something unusual. (which will happen oh about every 30 -40 mins.) Your experience as a CNA will help you, but we have had several really competent CNA's totally not do well on the very same floor after graduation. They all said they had no idea what the Nurses did even though prior to that they thought that they did. If you go to float pool, the regular nurses will expect you to be 100% competent and not be interested in giving help every 30-40 minutes.

msbsn · Sep 26, 2012

~PedsRn~ did you work as tech for CMC before you were hired?