Any floater school nurses out there?

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 23, 2017

I've never floated, per say, but I did have an active sub gig in a district where I was working pretty much every single day for a few months. I loved it, but admit it can be tricky not knowing the ins and outs of the school you are going to.

I have known a few floaters, though. Boston, for example, employs a few full time floater school nurses. They end up subbing, but really are hands on desk for screenings and rotate around to help a lot with that. It is a large district, but those doing like having things switch up day to day and do say that even in a large district, once you rotate through all the schools, you do get a feel for them the next time you end up being there. Such a position does intrigue me a bit.

SassyTachyRN · May 23, 2017

I'm also in a split elementary position, so I feel your pain. We don't have floater positions, but it really does sound intriguing! My district barely pays for the nurses we have/subs most days, so they would never fund this, BUT if they did, it would probably be something I would seriously consider!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 23, 2017

Putting aside the worry about MS and HS (I have observed that many of our floaters have particular ages they like and they're accommodated with that whenever it's possible) -

Do you feel that you can walk into someone else's clinic and be settled within a few minutes? I know I can't. I'm territorial and I need my space.

What supports are in place for a sub nurse? We now have standardized binders for every clinic, and I think that's helped tremendously. But before last year, what you got really depended on whom you were subbing for.

Answer those questions first, and everything should fall into place. Good luck!

kidzcare · May 23, 2017

I work in a very large district and we have several floaters. I don't think I would like the position. Too much variation. I like to have my own space to call home and organize it the way I want. I would not like walking into someone else's organization everyday. But some people are more flexible than I am.

WineRN · May 23, 2017

We have two float positions in my district and whenever I see one of them walking into my building, I am SO HAPPY. They both have told me before that they like being able to be hands on and meet everyone, and not have all of the paperwork. The downside is not knowing where you will be going and knowing that you most likely get pulled sometime during the day in case another school needs coverage.

Arete124 · May 23, 2017

Hi there!

I've been an occasional lurker, but just thought I'd give my two cents as I've been a full-time float RN for the school district I'm in this school year. I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would.

Pros: Like you mentioned, not as much responsibility when it comes to paperwork. You gain more experience going to so many different schools and dealing with students from different age groups. It was also a chance to get to know some of the nurses better as I would occasionally go to a campus for support if I didn't need to cover a clinic.

Cons: The main con for me was just not being familiar with the students/campus. It does get easier with the schools that you've been to more often. I'm not sure about your district, but in our district, each campus has a sub binder with all the EAPs/IHPs and some nurses like to leave a note for the sub with any other helpful info. Of course, another con is just not having a "home." And you don't have an office of your own to organize and decorate.

It's normal to feel a bit anxious going into a campus and not being familiar with it. I've been fortunate that most of the schools I've been to have had staff or a clinic back up that have been helpful. Just make sure whichever campus you go to, you orient yourself with who the fragile students are (i.e. diabetics, seizures, etc.) and where things like the AEDs, epi-pens, emergency cart/bag are. It's a good fit if you don't mind the flexibility. :)