Any advice for a new grad nurse who just took a position as a Float nurse? I'm super nervous and keep going back and forth on whether this is the right decision for me
Congrats on the job, anon!
Here is what I will say about being in float pool: it is hard. You don’t “belong” anywhere, you have no place to call your own (at least at my hospital we don’t, we don’t have a breakroom, just use the one on the unit we are assigned to for the day), and you need to know so much more about many different specialties. That last part can be difficult, but you made it through nursing school! And you WILL learn. It’ll take time, but give yourself grace and you will.
Being in float pool has been an awesome experience for me. I feel very well rounded and knowledgeable in lots of specialities. It definitely has helped me grow as a nurse and it has inspired to want me to do more. I also feel like since I have a broad knowledge I can help my patients better - I’m not necessarily looking at my assessment as one kind of nurse, but as every kind of nurse.
If you are on the fence about it, that’s okay. Maybe you will learn to love it. Maybe you will work for six months and decide that it’s not for you. Either way, float pool is what you make it. If you are willing to learn and be flexible and do your best for your patients, you will be all right.