Float Nursing?

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

What is it like being a float nurse? Do you like it?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Why are you asking? Is this a homework question, are you considering float nursing or is it just idle curiosity? It's a pretty broad question.

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

Why are you asking? Is this a homework question, are you considering float nursing or is it just idle curiosity? It's a pretty broad question.

Just curious and considering float nursing as well.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

You get the worst patient assignments. You get the admissions. You get the worst families. You get the discharges. You get to travel with your patient if you work in ICU.

On the flip side you don't get involved with messy unit politics, you control your schedule, you get your requested time off, you get moved around so if you hate floor 2B you might not be there for weeks if your facility is big enough.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Job satisfaction in float nursing depends on the nurse's preference. I held 2 positions as float nurse, I hated it.

You will be in a different place, with different patients every shift. It is sooo much easier to care for a patient several days in a row.

Agree with Wolf, you will most likely get the most difficult assignments, along with the joy of first and last admissions.

[brownbook]

I always floated and loved it. I guess once in a blue moon I was given an assignment no one else wanted. But that never bothered me? I am very easy going, not much bothers me, a few hits of marijuana always helps.

I think in retrospect, I went into "auto" mode. I focused on the task and the patient and just did my job? I also trusted my co-workers, charge nurse, etc. that if I got into a jam they would help out. I believe most people are good and want to help.

A round of Kumbya should be sung here.

I am am not a great, brilliant, nurse. Pure luck or what, no patients died or were harmed.

I heard anecdotally, maybe some one said they had read a study, that more mistakes were made when it was a quiet, normal, routine, shift. Maybe your not as vigilant? Stupid mistakes are made?

I think when I floated I was always a little hyper vigilant, stayed alert, didn't let down my guard? But didn't feel stressed, for some reason I enjoyed the challenge? Proved to myself I could be a good nurse?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I always floated and loved it. I guess once in a blue moon I was given an assignment no one else wanted. But that never bothered me? I am very easy going, not much bothers me, a few hits of marijuana always helps.

I think in retrospect, I went into "auto" mode. I focused on the task and the patient and just did my job? I also trusted my co-workers, charge nurse, etc. that if I got into a jam they would help out. I believe most people are good and want to help.

A round of Kumbya should be sung here.

I am am not a great, brilliant, nurse. Pure luck or what, no patients died or were harmed.

I heard anecdotally, maybe some one said they had read a study, that more mistakes were made when it was a quiet, normal, routine, shift. Maybe your not as vigilant? Stupid mistakes are made?

I think when I floated I was always a little hyper vigilant, stayed alert, didn't let down my guard? But didn't feel stressed, for some reason I enjoyed the challenge? Proved to myself I could be a good nurse?

It made my day to read a post from someone who is NOT convinced that they're the greatest nurse in their unit, or their hospital. Thankyou!

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

Thanks for the responses guys! I appreciate the perspectives from you all.

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

I agree and it humbles me to know that you didn't admit that you are the best nurse. So many times in nursing school we strive to be better than others or judge people who don't work as hard as us. Honestly though none of that matters. All that matters is the patient and that you provided the care that was needed. Thanks for these responses.

[al3x117, RN, EMT-B]

I always floated and loved it. I guess once in a blue moon I was given an assignment no one else wanted. But that never bothered me? I am very easy going, not much bothers me, a few hits of marijuana always helps.

I think in retrospect, I went into "auto" mode. I focused on the task and the patient and just did my job? I also trusted my co-workers, charge nurse, etc. that if I got into a jam they would help out. I believe most people are good and want to help.

A round of Kumbya should be sung here.

I am am not a great, brilliant, nurse. Pure luck or what, no patients died or were harmed.

I heard anecdotally, maybe some one said they had read a study, that more mistakes were made when it was a quiet, normal, routine, shift. Maybe your not as vigilant? Stupid mistakes are made?

I think when I floated I was always a little hyper vigilant, stayed alert, didn't let down my guard? But didn't feel stressed, for some reason I enjoyed the challenge? Proved to myself I could be a good nurse?

My friend you are one in a million nurses who doesn't think that they are the best and the brightest nurse. Thanks for being soo humble about that and I am convinced you are a great nurse because you opened yourself up to share that. Thanks so much for the post!

[brownbook]

Wow, I'm special.