What is a "pool position"?

It is a Prn position, aka float pool. The place I worked did it like this: they posted all shifts over the next month that needed coverage, and you would sign up for whatever you wanted to work. If they decided that day they weren't busy enough to need you, they would cancel you. So you would plan on working, but would sometimes get called off at the last minute. The good thing is that it pays about $5-$10 more per hour than regular staff shifts.

I work out of the float pool and LOVE IT!! I go in, take care of my patients, and go home!! No floor politics to deal with! And for this they pay me more!!

Not all float pool positions are prn and not all pool positions are float. It could mean either one at the hospital I work in.

There is the prn pool - unit based

and there is the float pool - work in all the units, most are FT or PT staff.

If it is a prn position, don't forget that the extra money is in place of, not in addition to, benefits (ie no sick time, no PTO, no insurance, etc).

You need to ask the Human Resources Dept of that particular employer for their definition. As you can see, "pool" varies by place. Always direct such questions to HR departments to get an accurate job description for what interests you.

studentnurse74 said:

It is a prn position, aka float pool. The place I worked did it like this: they posted all shifts over the next month that needed coverage, and you would sign up for whatever you wanted to work. If they decided that day they weren't busy enough to need you, they would cancel you. So you would plan on working, but would sometimes get called off at the last minute. The good thing is that it pays about $5-$10 more per hour than regular staff shifts.

I don't think we have a "float pool", we have a "resource team" that floats prn to any floor that needs reinforcements, and, as far as I know, it pays no more. We do have prn RN's who come in, I'm not sure how well they get compensated, tho...