Dilemma with PRN job and floating...need advice

[Calbrunette]

I started a new PRN job almost 3 months ago. It's a unit-based position but I was told in the interview I would be first to float. I was OK with this. So far I've been floated four times. Two of those times were to the same MS/Tele floor and both of those shifts were terrible. My last shift there was so busy and bad that I had a headache and high blood pressure for two days after (I don't normally have BP issues). Now I have anxiety about my upcoming shifts because I'm so worried I'll be floated this particular floor. I'm ready to quit the job over this. I've been a nurse for several years and have worked very hard on a busy floor and have a lot of physical issues because of it. I refuse to beat my body into the ground any further for any job. I also refuse to have anxiety before every single shift. I like being busy but will no longer compromise patient care or my health by working on a poorly managed floor. I'll feel so, so, so unprofessional if I quit so soon but I don't know what else to do. I don't think talking to my manager will help; she told me I would be floating and obviously I can't pick and choose where I go. Any suggestions on what to do or how I can gracefully quit so soon????

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

The only way to gracefully quit is to do it according to the facility's policy and without overly criticizing things on the way out.

If the job is really bothering you that much I honestly don't think that there's any other viable alternative...

You also may want to prioritize taking stock of your health issues and see what can be done about them if you plan on staying in hands-on care.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I'll say this: if you do want to stick with the job, I'm guessing that it will get easier over time. Learning a new hospital is tough, and floating is tough, especially when it's outside of your specialty. However, the more you do it, the more familiar you'll become with the routine and where everything is. Just because it's giving you tremendous anxiety now doesn't mean that it always will. It's possible that it will get better if you give it a bit more time. However, that choice is obviously up to you.

If you still want to quit, I'd just be honest, gracious, and apologetic with the manager. Tell him/her that you really enjoy your unit, but that you're struggling with floating more than you realized you would.

Honestly, you're probably not the first person to have that problem. Also, your manager may have some ideas about how to make the transition a little easier (maybe you could do a half-shift of orientation on the most common unit?) Even if she can't make any concessions, I'm hopefully s/he'll understand.