5 Tips When You are Floated to Another Unit

JanineKelbach, RN

It's Monday morning, you had the weekend off, and it was spectacular! You finally got to relax and are ready to tackle the day. You get to work, coffee in hand, and glance at the staffing board, and you're floated. Not to anywhere comfortable, it's the critical care unit. You aren't a critical care nurse.

We've all been there.

You're scared. The anxiety is building from not knowing anyone, any doctors, charting, or even the unit in general. What do you have to do? Who do you even ask?

How To Get Through Your Float Day!

STEP 1: Introduce Yourself

Say hello to those who are working with you. As simple as this sounds, it can be hard because many nurses, believe it or not, are introverted. Sometimes you can be intimidated by those who don't know you, and the other way around. Say hello by asking if the nurse needs help.

For example, "Hey, can I assist you with anything? I'm Janine, I usually work upstairs, but we heard you were busy and needed help. If I look confused, that's why. I may just need some direction, but I can help with whatever you need." That nurse will be grateful to have you and most likely will offer to help you further.

STEP 2: Get a Tour

Have someone, even the nursing assistant, show you around. Sometimes the nursing assistant is more helpful because of the responsibility of the entire floor. She can guide you to every store room and show you the ropes.

Critical things to know are:

The location of the restrooms for staff
A break room
The locker room
Water station/snack station for patients
Linen closet
The supply areas

These little things can become large things if you don't have a tour of the unit from the start.

STEP 3: Get a Resource Nurse

When you come to a new floor, hopefully, you are paired with someone to help you. If for some reason you aren't, ask for the point person or charge nurse to help you. Let her know your concerns and make sure you can come to her throughout the shift for questions. Ask of they have a resource list. Some units have tip sheets to help with location of things and policies.

STEP 4: Remember Teamwork

Everyone loves a team player. If you float to the unit and have a light assignment, they may need your help if you have downtime. Ask if anyone needs help with anything. Act like you want to be there when in reality you feel so lost and just want to go "home." Make the best of your time.

STEP 5: Use Your Strengths

Everyone in the unit is a nurse, and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Use your strengths to help them!

For example, if you know on your unit, you are good at starting IVs, leverage that skill when you are floated. Don't gloat about how good you are at IVs, but if you notice a nurse has a failed IV attempt, ask if you can try. Hopefully, you get it on the first try, and they are impressed. You have used your skills in a helpful way which will be appreciated.

Remember to address with your boss any concerns you have when you were floated, but also take in everything you learned. If you feel uncomfortable with the assignment you were given, ask for a lighter load. Let the charge nurse know your comfort level you have and the types of patients you are uncomfortable caring for.

View it as a networking opportunity as well, which can always help you in your career. Word travels. If a nurse enjoyed you helping, it may spread throughout the hospital, resulting in a good reputation for you. You may end up liking the unit better than the one you are currently working in, you never know.

Not many nurses enjoy floating. We like our unit, our coworkers, and the patients we work with. If you are floated, don't let it ruin your day, instead, be positive and make new friends. Take care of those patients like you would the patients on your unit, and most of all, don't go back to your unit and say you had a bad experience. Help each other out.

How do you cope with floating? Anything you want to add to this to help fellow nurses?