Float RNs - How do they float all equally?

The unit where I work keeps a book and float time is rotated fairly among the staff. However, as a casual nurse (ie casual means we don't get benefits, and they don't promise us any amount of hours, and we don't promise them anything specific) I feel abused when I have to float at all, as I'm not even on my own unit but 1-2 times a month, and sometimes I am floated both times because everyone else has already floated. I was hired to work the peds floor, but one summer, I floated to neonatal intensive care way more than I worked my assigned floor. As a casual nurse, it is hard enough to keep up with policy changes and any change on the floor, and I don't float enough to keep up with anything on other floors. so it is frustrating to say the least.

I have to say that in the 4 years I've been doing this, I've only ahd one assignment when floating that I thought was fair and used my skills appropriately and was safe for the patients. That was when I was floated to the special care nursery where there were 9 babies, 2 RN's and me. I was used to feed everyone, do car seat challenges for the 3 going home and do metabolic screens.

When I float to NICU, I usually get 4 intermediate patients, and that is about the least of their acuity. However, it is not at all what I am used to, so I never sit down the entire time I am there. I'm not NRP certified, so I don't feel like I can be safe, but I am floated anyway. Not the best use of a float nurse.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. I don't think there is any solution to floating fairly, as we have patients to care for and management views everyone as a warm body, not necessarily seeing the safety factor being compromised.

The whole purpose of a float nurse is to work where you are needed and can perform safely.

I floated between 10 different units or did patient transport for 3 years and was very satisfied.

Some units need nurses more often than others. If a unit has several nurses out on leave, or vacant positions, then they need staff more often. The SICU needs 12 nurses to fill staffing, but the surgery stepdown needs just 3 nurses a shift.

I worked one summer at the burn center, I spent several weeks in a stretch on a stepdown unit, so sometimes float nurses go through spells where floating to one area is common.

If you have a good rapport with the house sup, ask her about it. If you would like to avoid a certain area, speak up.

Our unit keeps a logbook, which you are supposed to update after your last float. If a float person is needed, the charge nurse looks at the book to see who has gone the longest without floating and they will be offered to general staffing. Usually if we get floated, it's to PICU or Peds with big huge kids we know nothing about. I haven't been floated yet since I'm still on orientation but after the stories I've heard, I'm not looking forward to my turn!

I work in a position (in one of my jobs) where we float throughout the hospital system. There are 4 hospitals in that system.... they keep us in the ones that are closest to our homes. But......... I give them my availability, and they put me where they need me based on my past experience.

Last week I was available for three days.......... one day I was on step down and the other two I worked in CICU. I am on the schedule for this weekend for one shift.... I am booked for SICU.

It depends on the needs of the units or floors and the ability of the nurse.