I just recently took a new job as a Critical Care Float Pool RN and in this position I would be able to float to the Critical Care units as well as the ED. I have experience in both areas. I was excited about the opportunity to work in both departments. It would give me the skill set and the variety that I need to maintain job satisfaction in nursing.
I was informed by a few of the employees who work at my job that the critical care unit is always understaffed even before Covid hit. I know that as a float nurse I will be sent to the unit where I am needed most.
I have been doing ER for several years now and I can't possibly see my career going forward without having the opportunity to work in the ER on consistent basis. I also enjoy working with kids and dealing with pediatric emergencies. The ER at this facility has a pediatric ER but they have dedicated pediatric ER nurses who will always staff that area, so it will be very rare that I get a chance to work in pediatric emergency area.
My other concern was that when I began the job they only wanted to give me the BARE minimum orientation and when I expressed my concerns about wanting more orientation, my manager seemed somewhat resistant to that idea.
As soon as I finished my Critical Care orientation and began orienting in the ED they wanted to completely pull me off orientation and have me fill shifts in the Critical care unit. Their excuse was they really needed help and wanted me to finish my ED orientation at a later time. They were successful at that.
I am just worried that I won't ever get the chance to work in the ER as it seems like ICU will always need help no matter what. The ER is almost always staffed and even over staffed some days.
I took this position believing that I'd be working in both areas but I see that's not going to be the case at all. I was told in my interview that I'd be floating to both departments. I kind of feel a little bummed. I don't want to leave because I know they need my help but I don't feel satisfied with this job at all.
I would keep in mind that right now you are entering a float position during peak respiratory season AND during a pandemic, so I am not surprised that you're spending more time in ICU at the moment. As a float nurse, I always found myself in critical care units during respiratory Winter season far more often, but found myself evenly distributed to the other areas during non-respiratory season.
you make a good point I will keep that in mind going forward...
CowgirlHippy, ADN, RN
9 Posts
you make a good point I will keep that in mind going forward...