Floating?

[Morganalefey]

I've been a nurse for a year. I've been at my new job 4mos, and out of orientation for about 6 weeks or so. I went into work the other day, and they wanted me to float to another floor.

I (politely) refused, stating that I was uncomfortable w/that and that I was still trying to find my way on my unit. My boss sent someone else, but was *obviously* angry w/me. And to be honest, I don't really care! When I interviewed I was told it would be a year before I would float. The girls on the floor told me they usually do it 6mos AFTER your orientation was done. I am so disillusioned by this job, which is quite sad since it's only been 4mos!

Is this common practice where you all work? Maybe I over-reacted?

[Music in My Heart]

I do feel like I did the right thing...

I don't know... I don't really see the problem with stepping onto a med-surg floor a few months after orientation. Of course it would've been a bit bumpy but I'm not really seeing this as a patient-safety or even CYA issue.

Personally, I don't think you're justified in your anger at the situation.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

If you've been there 4 months, and have been a nurse for a year already, it doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal. Floating definitely can put you out of your comfort zone but it doesn't seem like they were throwing you to the wolves on your first day or anything.

[sauconyrunner]

I think, given that they were floating you to a lower acuity floor...this is not a very big problem. I actually think it would not be a big deal to go and do it.

I think I'd tell your manager that you have reviewed the policy and were unaware that you could float 2 weeks after being off orientation. Being written up may not seem like a big deal, but it will hinder things like transfers etc..

The only time that I refused to float was when I was hired for the ED as a traveler and the staff nurses decided I should go to the only floor in the hospital every night. I was not trained on the floor system, and I have actually never worked as a floor nurse. I told them I would be delighted to go and task, and turn patients, give med, give bedpans/baths take vitals, but I would not take an assignment. Problem solved. I did go over there a lot though when we were not too busy and turn patients, give bedpans etc... so no one seemed too upset.

[biblepoet]

In 1 1/2 yrs. I'VE floated twice once to oncology good night and post surgical worst night I have ever had. We do not flooat to higher in acquity.

[susu24]

The policy in my hospital is we float after 3 months off orientation, regardless if you are an experienced nurse or a new grad. We float within our community as well. We also are lucky enough to have a float pool; they float the numerous medsurg floors and others bounce around the hospital helping with admissions or if they are not too busy they can be pulled and float the floors to just help out. I've never heard of medsurg or tele nurses floating to the ICU, CCICU, Neuro ICU or IMC. They float within their community.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

What you were told in the interview , no longer applies in the real world.

You are done with orientation and you will be in the float rotation.

Floating is difficult/uncomfortable for most nurses. If you take your turn (without complaint), you will stand out as an exceptional team player. When you arrive on the new unit, get a mini tour from the charge nurse and let her know she WILL be your resource person.

Most important of all... stop thinking/referring to your co-workers as "girls".

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for a year. I've been at my new job 4mos, and out of orientation for about 6 weeks or so. I went into work the other day, and they wanted me to float to another floor.

I (politely) refused, stating that I was uncomfortable w/that and that I was still trying to find my way on my unit. My boss sent someone else, but was *obviously* angry w/me. And to be honest, I don't really care! When I interviewed I was told it would be a year before I would float. The girls on the floor told me they usually do it 6mos AFTER your orientation was done. I am so disillusioned by this job, which is quite sad since it's only been 4mos!

Is this common practice where you all work? Maybe I over-reacted?

I was in almost exactly the same situation as yours, and I too refused to float. Hospital policy states that new nurses are not to be floating until they have 1 year experience.

My manager was chapped over my refusal, and made all kinds of childish threats, which she immediately stopped hurling when I presented her with a copy of the policy.

Once I got to 1 year experience...to the DAY...they floated me to pediatrics. I was floated about twice a week for 2 months. I went without complaint, and they eventually got over being mad at my defiance.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

you are not protecting your license by working in an unfamiliar environment as the expectation is for you to be a competent, not expert, nurse. You might be risking your job, but that is your choice. I certainly understand not feeling comfortable floating, but please try to understand that the hospital is trying to staff for patients, and that might include asking people to step outside their comfort zone.

[Quit Floating Me, BSN, RN]

At my facility we have a float policy. After three months off orientation you are eligible to float. -pokes at username-

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I am a tele nurse, and I float to med/surg. I refused to float to ICU three months off orientation, although the nursing supe and my manager tried to talk me into it. I flatly refused.

In your situation (where you are a specialty ICU nurse), I don't think floating to med/surg would have been much of a problem. The first time floating can be nerve-wracking, but only the first time.

What chaps my butt is the floating to floors that are very, very different from a nurse's specialty. No one would expect an obstetrician to be an attending on a tele floor or vice versa, or a psychiatrist to be an intensivist in ICU, so why are nurses treated as one size fits all?