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.
6 months before
Shortlist units
Check application windows. Gather clinical experience, references and your expected graduation date.
Find residencies →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 →2–3 months before
Meet the unit manager
Ask about overtime, a shadow shift, preceptor continuity and the schedule after orientation.
Prepare your questions →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
Worth asking
- Can you walk me through base pay range?
- What should I expect for holiday, call, and rotation?
More questions to askFewer questions
- What preceptor time and ongoing unit support are included?
- How is patient load handled day to day?
Your fit
Original listing
Posted on 15 Gundersen Lutheran Admin Svcs’ careers page.
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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?
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