Any Float Nurses Out There?

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Say, I'm interested in hearing about floating. Our hospital is just starting a float pool, and I'm orienting in ER in order to float. I'm really excited about this because I enjoy floating for some reason.

Any pointers?

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

It's been a long time ago, but I worked float pool. While occasionally you get dumped on, some floors are so happy to have help they're really nice to you.

Too, you don't get caught up in unit politics and, if you have a bad shift, you can take consolation in knowing you probably won't be going back there the next time you work.

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

I've just started floating in pool. That's precisely why I did it, santhony, to get away from ward politics. We can't refuse to go to a ward, unless we don't feel qualified to do the work. But in our hospital we get to generally choose our own rosters, and basically are able to give less warning to apply for leave as well.

Negative aspects: The ward that you are sent to may give you the heaviest workload, or the one with the most 'disagreeable' patients, to give themselves a break. Understandable, but it can be extremely wearing on the pool staff member after a while.

Let me know how you go...

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I really enjoy floating too and was in an ICU float pool until a couple of years ago.

Are there clearly defined areas you plan to float to? When I worked pool, I went to ICU's and stepdown units or did patient transport only.

I loved the variety. The charge nurses gave me good assignments and helped me out.

I did not like not having a locker or mailbox. My department was something of an "orphan" department tacked onto various managers' workload. Pool nurses were the last to be informed of mandatory inservices.

It was all worth it for the freedom.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

In my hospital we'll be expected to float everywhere except to surgery. This includes ER,OB,Med/Surg, CCU and SOP

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Specializes in Critical Care, Quality Imp, Education.

Personally, I hate going in and not knowing where I am going. It is very stressful to me.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
Personally, I hate going in and not knowing where I am going. It is very stressful to me.

I have floated a lot & that is the same reason I don't like it! I just got sick of working 1900-0100 in MS then 0100-0700 in Tele for example. Last time I was split like this I discovered my pt was severely neutropenic was not in a private room, and was not in reverse isolation. Then I ended up having to call a RR on a pt......this was all within my 1st hour of taking over these pts.

I know it could have just as easily happened at 1900.....something about taking over mid shift with sleeping people......I am just not a fan of! On the other hand you probally won't work the same unit two nights in a row.

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