Floating? I need your comments!

Who's is going to be responsible for any problems that come up in the shift that I can't handle?

Immediate thoughts: I don't like the fish-out-of-water feeling. I'll probably have to depend on others at some point during this shift.

Who will be my resource person if I need help?

In our hospital all units have assigned "float clusters". For example the OR, where I work, is clustered only to L&D for cases they can't handle such as an emergency hyster after delivery. ICU only clusters with the ER and vice versa. So in hospitals that are larger and have many different units such as Neuro, Ortho, Step-Down and so forth one would have to be pretty proficient in those areas. A nurse is just not a nurse because they have a license. So one would have to feel comfortable and not be pushed into something they can't handle. Be very careful in excepting assignments just because you are told to do so.

I understand the issues with floating, which my best practice addresses. As part of my presentation, I'd like to provide our administrators with some comments from "real" nurses that relay their emotions/attitude toward floating, positive or negative.

Also, it's interesting to me that the first three comments involve "who": who can I go to for help, who is responsible if problems arise, who can I depend on.

Good stuff! This will certainly help with the content of my presentation.

i would think, "oh, great. i'm going to get stuck with the load nobody else wants."

i used to work on a unit where one of us would have to float pretty much every shift. NOBODY ever wanted to be the one to go. we were supposed to take turns, but it almost never happened that way. if it was the person's turn who was best friends with the charge nurse then the charge nurse would have some reason that that person couldn't go. it's one of the many reasons i quit that job. i hated the floor i got floated to and i was just about working on that floor more than i was the one i was hired for.

I'm a float pool CNA in nursing school and my first thoughts every nights are:Who is responsible for what (eg q4 vitals, chemsticks, post op vitals)?Where is everything I'll need?

Immediate thoughts: I don't like the fish-out-of-water feeling. I'll probably have to depend on others at some point during this shift.

Exactly!!

Immediate thought?: FML.

I pray I have a good CNA, because they have always been the ones to make or break a float for me.

Last time I worked I got pulled to psych for 4 hours, ED for 4 hours, then the surgical floor for 4 hours. They sent me where they needed help but as soon as I got done with my assignments I'd get brand new everything. I certainly don't mind helping out but I was exhausted after helping out 3 whole floors. Especially since I've only been at this facility since May.. I love my job though!