You Might Be a Float Pool Nurse If… 

Float pool nurses are in a league of their own. They thrive on change, adapt quickly and know how to make an impact in any setting. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’d succeed in this role, here are five telltale signs you might be a float pool nurse. 

1. You’ve Got a Mental Map of Every Supply Closet 

Helen Lee Marx, a longtime Texas Children’s nurse, says an unexpected challenge in floating is the supplies. “Sometimes the hardest thing is finding items. Every unit keeps things in a different location,” she explains. “I keep it all cataloged in the back of my mind.” 

If you could win a scavenger hunt for suction canisters and IV pumps, you might be a float pool nurse. 

But what looks like a quirky challenge is actually a sign of quick problem-solving. Float nurses are pros at navigating new spaces, adjusting to unfamiliar setups, and still keeping patient care seamless. 

2. You Can Pivot Mid-Shift Without Missing a Beat 

In the float pool, no two days look the same. Sometimes no two halves of a shift look the same either. 

“Sometimes I have to adjust in a shift because I may have to float to a different area,” says Shelly Brown, who has spent more than 20 years in obstetrical nursing and eight of those in as a float nurse. “It keeps me on my toes.” 

If you can switch gears before your coffee cools, you might be a float pool nurse. 

That kind of flexibility isn’t just convenient for staffing. It’s a critical skill that ensures patients always have access to skilled nurses when and where they’re needed most. 

3. Your Morning Email Feels Like Opening a Destination Reveal 

Kristin Berry, a float nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, never starts a day knowing exactly where she’ll land. “Every morning they’ll send out the assignment. It’s different every day,” she says. 

If your day feels like an episode of Destination X, you might be a float pool nurse. 

That mystery element might sound intimidating at first, but variety keeps skills sharp and prevents burnout. It’s one of the biggest perks for many nurses. Kristin explains, “I really enjoy the float pool because of the variety. You see multiple things across multiple units, and I don’t like being bored.” 

(Want to know more about how variety fuels career growth? Read Why Experienced Nurses Choose Float Pool to see how seasoned nurses thrive in this role.) 

4. Families Recognize You in Places You Don’t Expect 

Helen Lee recalls taking care of a patient in the NICU and then seeing the same family months later in the emergency room. They recognized her immediately and felt reassured by the familiar face. 

If a parent greets you with, “I know you,” you might be a float pool nurse. 

These unexpected reunions are part of what makes floating so rewarding. While float nurses don’t have a single “home” unit, they often become touchpoints of comfort across the hospital, offering continuity that patients and families remember. 

5. People Mistake You for a New Nurse — Until They See You in Action 

One downside of being an unfamiliar face on the floor is that some colleagues might make a false assumption. Kristin says it happens often: “At first, they might mistake us for brand-new nurses, and we’re not. We have a lot of experience.” 

If you’ve ever been underestimated but impressed your team within minutes, you might be a float pool nurse. 

At Texas Children’s, float pool roles are filled by seasoned clinicians. These nurses adapt instantly, bring diverse experience to the table, and quickly earn the trust of the teams they join. 

The Float Pool Advantage 

Being a float pool nurse means more than filling gaps in the schedule. It’s about thriving on variety, staying flexible under pressure, and making an impact across multiple units. Nurses who succeed in the float pool are adaptable, resilient, and motivated by the chance to touch more lives. 

And while the daily surprises and challenges may keep others guessing, float nurses know this is where their skills, instincts and heart can shine brightest. 

Explore Float Pool Nursing at Texas Children’s 

Think you’ve got what it takes to thrive in the float pool? At Texas Children’s, float nurses are valued members of the team who build broad clinical skills and support families when they need it most. 

Ready to put your adaptability to work? Explore nursing opportunities at Texas Children’s.