Floating nurses

[babsRN]

I have an issue I really need to get input on. I manage several large telemetry and PCU type areas. Staffing is usually tight...however, once in a while the clouds part and the census in the ICU drops. This means our ICU nurses have to float. Evidently there is an unwritten rule that preceeds me that states that ICU nurses can "bump" the PCU and Tele nurses...causing the PCU/Tele nurse to have to float to med surg areas, while the ICU nurse works on Tele/PCU. While my staff take this like true professionals ...wear a game face and go, for which I'm extremely proud of them for...they end up feeling quite demoralized about the circumstances. I don't blame them. I've attempted but am not getting very far in communicating with the ICU manager about this. Plan to keep trying.

I fell terrible about this organizational behavior, I'd love to change it, and I'd also love to hear what you think...how this is handled in your hospital, etc...

Thanks bunches! b

[kimmicoobug]

...and it looks like I am getting floated again and going in four hours early for a 7p-7a shift. OK with me considering I will get weekend bonus of 10 extra for that four hours and overtime.

[MandyInMS]

I don't mind floating..it's NOT that...I do mind floating to an area that I don't feel confident in but would be legally responsible for.

[RyanRN]

LauraKo ,nowhere here did I see anyone state that one type of nursing was 'more important' than another. Rather, the point was well made that nursing consists of many "different' areas.

That old refrain "a nurse is a nurse" has been imposed on us by the purveyors of health care business as far back as I can recall. It may be good for business but it just simply is not true. If you feel comfortable shifting from area to area then that is about *you*. It's *your* gift and does not automatically mean that nurses are not 'flexible'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our daily setting and job demands extreme flexibility but working outside our knowledge zone is dangerous. Would be a folly to agree to do so.

I am not comfortable working with and being responsible for a balloon pump and I won't allow that patient to suffer for my lack of expertise. And YOU shouldn't want me to be the nurse for your family member who has one. And you don't me birthing no babies. As someone else on this board stated they went to a specific area of nursing for a specific reason (NICU r/t injury) now, would we rather not have that person in nursing at all rather than letting him do what he knows he can do best! Hogwash!

You know a well as I do that the profit margin rules in hospitals. Of course they want to move us around like chess pieces rather that spring for extra staff.(MandinMS floating to THREE different places on one shift - using us a pawns!)

I often wonder what their response would be if told "Ms. Nursing Supervisor you will be "supervising" maintenance today, they are short. Or, Mr. MBA Accountant your MBA expertise is needed Computer Dept. today, get going. Or Mr. DON, the DON of our sister Nursing Home is out sick you'll be covering her this week!

They have got to get a grip. The old adage A NURSE IS A NURSE just doesn't get it anymore.

babsRN since you consider your staff "professional" for putting on a 'game face' and floating (and making themselves liable in any untoward situation) I would hope you would consider me 'professionally assertive' for not doing the same. I know my limitations. While I consider med/surg one of the hardest areas to work, I do understand that a PCU nurse would handle that more effectively than am ICU/CCU/ER nurse - who's job has a completely different focus.

One last thing, it would be a cold day in Haiti when I floated over a per diem, pool, or part time nurse. What other advantage do I have for being a full time employee? None that I know.

All that said, I AM a team player, I DO understand the predicament, I DO jump in to help - BUT so am I very tired of laying down and letting everyone walk all over my back. Old age, do you think?