Floating (sign of bad management?)

[nrsman1]

I floated to another floor the other day and noticed that we have at least two or three floating from our floor or two or three floating from our floor to other floors each week. It got me thinking, is the act of nurses and nurse aides floating so frequently a sign of poor management of personel or is two to three times a week normal for floating. Also, if it is a staffing problem is it the result of too many or not enough employees? Just wondering.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Could be a multitude of things. Management ususally implies planning ahead. It is hard to plan how many people will be needed for a shift when staff is calling in 1-2 hours before the shift starts. Lots of last minute shuffling. Yesterday we had two unexpected CABG's. That required lots of last minute shuffling in critical care units - even calling people who were on their off day.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Summer vacations, maternity leaves, low census on your floor and a couple of vacant positions can cause lots of floating.

Floating 2-3 times a week sounds excessive though.

If the management is sound, then the places you float to will have their staffing problems fixed eventually, but it takes time.

If the floors are chronically staffed with floaters, new grads and a few overburdened senior nurses, then there is a deep-rooted problem.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

LOL - staffing and scheduling are just about the most difficult administrative responsibilities ever. Staffing is based on "average" census -- and you know how accurate that is. For most of us, floating is better than its "evil twin".... being called off.

The most frustrated people are usually the nurse managers who work hard to establish and maintain a stable, well-balanced staff -- only to have their people floated to departments who aren't as well prepared or staffed.

[snuggles49]

Sign of Good Management.

Floating can Reduce OT and Eliminate Calling Staff Off . It is a Win Win situation.

[Cindy-san]

No, hopefully, your floor is properly staffed.

Depending on the unit, you might be having a low census. My unit has that around certain holidays because the attending surgeons only do emergencies.

Although, if they're pulling your staff and leaving your unit overwhelmed, that's another story.

[icurn36]

the question is why are there floors that are chronically understaffed and need rns from other floors.

sounds like a management issue.

[nurseofalltrades]

I work in long term care/skilled facility and I have to float to all 3 units. I hate it very much but our staffing is horrible so I dont have a choice

[kythe, LPN]

I consider it poor management if it is a repeated issue.

I've worked in a LTC that regularly floats CNA's, even in the middle of shifts. It isn't uncommon for an overnight CNA to work 7p-3a on one floor, only to be called by staffing and told to go to another floor until 7a. Some say this is because some floors are busier in the evenings putting everyone to bed, and other floors need more help in the mornings getting everyone up.

It doesn't make sense to me since this is the only facility I've worked in with this type of staffing issues. It is confusing to residents and makes it difficult for residents to maintain routine because they never know who is getting them up for the morning, give them a shower, or feed them until the time actually comes.