Float pool questions

[mysticallstar]

For those of you who are float pool, I'd like to ask a few questions.  First, how far in advanced do you know your assignment for the night? Can you get moved mid assignment without notice?  If you do get moved mid shift, are you given any time for documenting before taking on a new assignment? Also- how do your breaks work if you get moved around  each shift? Generally speaking, how much more is your pay diff from the rest of the hospital?

Also, for those in epic is there a specific float nurse sign in to access different flow sheets and so you don't have to keep signing in and out of different areas if you're moved mid shift?

Asking because my department is attempting to start a float pool and we're trying to figure out the best way to get across some of the issues.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You will get your assignment, when you report  to the nursing office. You can,  and will be moved mid shift.  You are essentially expected to be in two places at once. The off going unit, and the oncoming unit. There is NO time for report or a break. I have been told to LIE that I got my break.. because by law I am supposed to get one. I always had to sign into EPIC on the new unit. As far as float pool salary?.. depends on the facility. Some only pay a paltry $2 /hr. for all these unsafe issues.

[RN_Lou_2020, LPN, RN]

I get notified of my initial assignment via text two hours before the start of the shift. You can indeed get moved mid-shift or anytime really. I've been lucky and only had to that a couple times though. You don't really get time to get your charting done before you get moved but with that being said, get your charting done. LOL! When I can, I TRY to take a 30 minute break from anything nursing but I've never had a full, uninterrupted break before. The difference in pay varies and is hard for me to comment on since I went from an LPN float pool PRN position to an RN float pool full time position so my pay jumped a LOT. Signing in to Epic is the same for everyone in a way but where I work we (float pool) have to pick/sign-in to the floor/specialty we're working in. Like if someone is on a dedicated floor such as 3rd-renal/vascular, that's all that person can choose from. With float pool we have the option to choose from every floor or specialty like ER, PCU, ICU, CCU, 3rd-renal/vascular medsurg, 4th-oncology/pediatrics medsurg, 5th-ortho/neuro medsurg, Behavioral Health/Psych, Rehab, etc.  I hope that made sense.