Pulled to other floors?

Lovelymo79 · Oct 25, 2012

I work in a 70 bed ICU, in the CTICU. The only place we float to are the other ICUs (MICU, SICU and CCU). If I had to float outside of the unit, I think I would die.

I do not believe a nurse, is a nurse, is a nurse because I definitely would not trust a med-surg nurse taking care of my CABG patients. Just like I'm sure no pediatrics nurse would trust me with their patients. With the proper training, yes. But not just for a shift.

eCCU · Oct 25, 2012

When staffing efficiency is among priority in nursing management, floating system is inevitable. But it is wise to be done by considering the appropriate skill levels between floors. This is less stressful to the staffs.
To be true, no one likes it. But still, can get used to it.

I don't believe i would make it in med-surg!!!8pts!!!! I have enough respect for them huh....especially during med admn time and charting...me=DEAD:-(

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2012

I work telemetry and I have been pulled pretty much to every floor open at night except peds. ER is always fun although I'm there for support and to start IVs. I love being in the ICU since I get to see more complex issues and only have 2 patients instead of 8. I love being able to really know my patients. I'd love to work ICU one day although I feel the tele experience I'm getting now is invaluable.
When unit nurses float to us, they really do hate it. I don't blame them though. Our floor is cutthroat and it's possible to have an ICU level patient plus 7 others. Eek I wish we had better ratios, but I love my job usually.

I just had an interview today for a telemetry position. The ratio is 6:1 during the day and 7:1 at night, it is a bit much I think, but I suppose it is the standard in such units around any hospital, still think it is too much.

Somehow I was under the idea that Telemetry was not Med-Surge, but it appears there is not much difference between the two units, and the ratios are also similar. Is not the unit I wanted to work, but I see it as a stepping stone to ICU; where I had my leadership at and loved it.

Reading this post, I never thought to ask when will it be before I get floated. I will try to keep the mentality of the subsequent posters and you, and take it with a smile and an opportunity to learn, as well as scout the units I may want to advance at. It is a great chance to see how other units work and if I will be interested in transferring; when able to do so.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 29, 2012

Our ER nurses do not float. Our ICU nurses also do not float unless they decide to pick up extra shifts on a different unit, and then they usually pick up on my floor (PCU). My floor, however, gets floated all over...mainly to ICU, but they have pulled me to postpartum a few times (why?!)

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2013

Are you pulled to other floors to work? At my facility we are, once we are three months off of orientation. The only nurses in the hospital who are not pulled are ER nurses. I think ICU is at least just as specialized as ER, and I don't think we should be pulled. I am newer to ICU and have spent the last six months trying to think like a critical care nurse. Totally messed with my chi the other night to be pulled to a telemetry floor and have eight patients (for the first time in my career). I am feeling a bit dejected because I feel like I didn't give great nursing care to any one of them. Just hoping for some encouragement or advice. I love my job but a steady diet of this would make me look for a different one...[/quote']
At my hospital ICU nurses can get floated to med-surg, however they can only take a max of 3 pts, since they are not used to having 5. This seems to help as ICU nurses are only floated to the floors if there are no floor nurses available as you would rather have a floor nurse who can take a full assignment. The ICU nurses don't seem to mind as much either.