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RN, Registered Nurse | Hospital Float Pool

As a Hospital Float Pool RN, you'll play a vital role in supporting patient care across multiple hospital departments while building a broad and highly valuable clinical skillset.

Posted Sep 28 · New grads welcomed

Shift and hours
12-⁠hour shifts · Rotating day (0630-1900) and night (1830-0700) shifts Schedule: 12-hour rotating day (0630-1900) and night (1830-0700) shifts; every third weekend and two holidays per year30 hours a week
Unit and setting
Medical-Surgical · Hospital Medical-Surgical
License
RN licenseActive Wisconsin RN license (or ability to obtain)
Term
Permanent FTE: Part-time, 0.75 (60 hours per two weeks)Part-time, 0.75 FTE

Do you qualify?

New grads
Welcomed
License
Active Wisconsin RN license (or ability to obtain) Check your license
Certification
Current BLS (Infant-Adult) certification for Health Care Providers
Education
Minimum of associate degree in nursing (ADN)
Also asks
Strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and commitment to patient-centered care

Preferred

Also asks
Previous direct patient care experience, such as CNA experience, for new graduates For new graduates, previous direct patient care experience, such as CNA experience, is strongly preferred
Your six-month RN application plan

Start about six months before graduation. Some programs open earlier; use each employer’s application dates.

  1. 6 months before

    Shortlist units

    Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.

    Find residencies
  2. 4–6 months before

    Apply as windows open

    Apply before graduation when the program allows it. Keep the cohort date and license deadline with each application.

    Explore new grad jobs
  3. 2–3 months before

    Meet the unit manager

    Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.

    Prepare your questions
  4. Around graduation

    Confirm your start

    Coordinate NCLEX, the required license and your start date. Get relocation and repayment terms in writing.

    Plan your license
Why start this early?

Advocate describes a 6–9 month application runway for several regional RN programs. These milestones are a planning guide, not deadlines for every employer. See program calendars.

What it pays

Float differential
$2.50/hour float differential, plus shift, weekend, and holiday differentials $2.50/hour float differential, plus shift, weekend, and holiday differentials
Tuition assistance
Access to the Career Development Center and Tuition Investment Program
Extra pay
$2.50/hour float differential, plus shift, weekend, and holiday differentials
Pay reviews
Additional compensation based on experience Starting pay of $38.96/hour, with additional compensation based on experience

Benefits

  • BenefitsComprehensive healthcare benefits; top-rated retirement planComprehensive healthcare benefits and a top-rated retirement plan
  • BenefitsAccess to the Career Development Center and Tuition Investment ProgramAccess to the Career Development Center and Tuition Investment Program
  • BenefitsStructured orientation with unit-based preceptors and dedicated Float Pool mentorshipStructured orientation with unit-based preceptors and dedicated Float Pool mentorship
  • BenefitsDaily support from Clinical Manager and Professional Development NurseDaily support from your Clinical Manager and Professional Development Nurse
  • BenefitsOpportunities to explore multiple specialty practice areas and build a strong clinical foundationOpportunities to explore multiple specialty practice areas and build a strong clinical foundation
  • Comprehensive healthcare benefits
More benefits (3)
  • Top-rated retirement plan
  • Access to the Career Development Center
  • Tuition Investment Program

The role and schedule

Unit
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Unit
Inpatient Behavioral Health Inpatient Behavioral Health
Unit
Labor & Delivery Labor & Delivery
Unit
Pediatrics/Peds ICU Pediatrics/Peds ICU
Unit
Emergency Services Emergency Services
Floating
Deployed to departments needing immediate staffing support Float Pool nurses are deployed to departments that need immediate staffing support, helping teams maintain seamless operations and uninterrupted patient care.
Day to day
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team (RNs, CNAs, clinicians, therapists, social workers) Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team including RNs, CNAs, clinicians, therapists, and social workers
Day to day
Deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while adapting to unit needs Deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while adapting to varying unit needs
Day to day
Support departments where staffing needs are greatest, ensuring timely, uninterrupted care Support departments across the hospital where staffing needs are greatest, ensuring patients receive timely, uninterrupted care
Hours stated
12-hour rotating day (0630-1900) and night (1830-0700) shifts; every third weekend and two holidays per year
Weekends
Every third weekend Schedule: 12-hour rotating day (0630-1900) and night (1830-0700) shifts; every third weekend and two holidays per year
Holidays
Two holidays per year
Details
Main Campus, La Crosse, WI Location: Main Campus, La Crosse, WI

Support on this unit

The posting does not state the assignment size, and nothing published names it for this unit.

Your preceptor
A preceptor is assigned to you Partner with experienced preceptors and Float Pool mentors during orientation and ongoing development

The workplace

15 Gundersen Lutheran Admin Svcs
Hiring organization

Worth asking

  • Can you walk me through base pay range?
  • What should I expect for holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to ask
  • What preceptor time and ongoing unit support are included?
  • How is patient load handled day to day?
Build questions for this role

Your fit

Original listing

Posted on 15 Gundersen Lutheran Admin Svcs’ careers page.

Read full text

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you’re looking for a job to love, apply today.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

  • 30
  • RN, Registered Nurse | Hospital Float Pool
  • FTE: Part-time, 0.75 (60 hours per two weeks)

Schedule

12-hour rotating day (0630-1900) and night (1830-0700) shifts; every third weekend and two holidays per year Location: Main Campus, La Crosse, WI

About the Role

As a Hospital Float Pool RN, you'll play a vital role in supporting patient care across multiple hospital departments while building a broad and highly valuable clinical skillset. Float Pool nurses are deployed to departments that need immediate staffing support, helping teams maintain seamless operations and uninterrupted patient care. This role offers exceptional variety and opportunity for growth.

You'll gain experience across diverse patient populations and care settings while developing the adaptability, critical-thinking skills, and confidence that come from working throughout the hospital. Expect accelerated professional growth, meaningful variety, and continuous learning across specialties. Whether you're an experienced nurse or a new graduate with prior patient care experience, you'll be supported by dedicated preceptors, experienced Float Pool mentors, and a collaborative leadership team invested in your success.

What You’ll Do

Provide patient care across multiple inpatient settings, including (but not limited to): Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Inpatient Behavioral Health IV Therapy Labor & Delivery Pediatrics/Peds ICU Emergency Services Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team including RNs, CNAs, clinicians, therapists, and social workers Deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while adapting to varying unit needs Partner with experienced preceptors and Float Pool mentors during orientation and ongoing development Support departments across the hospital where staffing needs are greatest, ensuring patients receive timely, uninterrupted care

What You’ll Bring

Minimum of associate degree in nursing (ADN) Active Wisconsin RN license (or ability to obtain) Current BLS (Infant–Adult) certification for Health Care Providers Strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and commitment to patient-centered care For new graduates, previous direct patient care experience, such as CNA experience, is strongly preferred Ideal Candidate Profile Adaptability & Flexibility: Thrives in changing environments and enjoys caring for a variety of patient populations Eagerness to Learn: Seeks new experiences and proactively builds knowledge across specialties Inquisitive Nature: Asks thoughtful questions, pursues understanding, and takes initiative to learn Strong Communication

Skills

Confident collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and seeking guidance when needed Patient Advocacy & Critical Thinking: Prioritizes patient needs and adapts quickly to changing clinical situations Team-First Mindset: Enjoys helping others and looks for opportunities to support teammates across the hospital Why Nurses Love This Department Build confidence faster. Float Pool nurses gain exposure to a wide range of patient populations, specialties, and clinical situations, helping them develop strong assessment, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Expand your opportunities.

Working across multiple departments provides valuable insight into the hospital, broadens your professional network, and can open doors to future specialty interests and career paths. Be welcomed everywhere. Float Pool nurses are highly valued throughout the hospital and play an essential role in supporting patient care when and where help is needed most.

Join a supportive team. You'll be backed by experienced preceptors, Float Pool mentors, and approachable leaders who are committed to your development, support your goals, and recognize the importance of maintaining balance outside of work. Enjoy variety with purpose.

No two shifts are exactly alike. Each day brings new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to learn while making a meaningful impact across the hospital.

What You’ll Get

Starting pay of $38.96/hour, with additional compensation based on experience $2.50/hour float differential, plus shift, weekend, and holiday differentials Comprehensive healthcare benefits and a top-rated retirement plan Access to the Career Development Center and Tuition Investment Program Structured orientation with unit-based preceptors and dedicated Float Pool mentorship Daily support from your Clinical Manager and Professional Development Nurse Opportunities to explore multiple specialty practice areas and build a strong clinical foundation Why Join Emplify Health by Gundersen? We’re not just filling positions - we’re building careers. At Emplify Health, we care for our teams, while they care for their communities.

Whether you are just starting out or looking for a change, Emplify Health supports you now and into the future. Join us and find out how a little empathy changes everything. Ready to join a team that values growth, flexibility, and collaboration—while making an immediate impact where it’s needed most?

Apply today and help us keep patient care moving without missing a beat.

About Emplify Health

Emplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not-for-profit, patient-centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer I f you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact HR-Recruitment@gundersenhealth.org or call 608-775-0267. We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values — belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility — our pillars set our foundation and our future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

What's around it?

In La Crosse, WI

La Crosse, WIFrom Census ACS 2024.

Living costs about 8% below the US average

Median rent
$1,010/mo
Household income
$55,866/yr, all local households, not nurse pay

See La Crosse, WI

Nurses on this role

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