floating

RNPD · Nov 12, 2002

fergus, med-surg IS a specialty. Unfortunately, admiin doesn't always recognize it as such. Would you want me monitoring your baby's FHR or assisting at your C-section, or measuring your fundal height? I don't think so! Just the same, I really don't want you in charge of my medical care when I am hospitalized! So I don't agree that it is a "big bunch of crap"!

I do think floating within your specialty is the best way to go and it's union protected where I work. I will on rare occasions agree to help out elsewhere, but I won't accept an assignment. I function as the NA and boy it is hard work! But I'd rather work hard than hurt or kill someone and lose my license by attempting tasks for which I have no training.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2002

Fergus, it's almost the opposite where I work. The womyn's we float to the womyn's surgical unit and post-partum (never ever ever l&d and antepartum), but they don't have to float out. The only unit I feel should have to float out is the womyn's surgical unit, the are simply a med-surg unit, with gyn surgeries primarily. The other units should be autonomous.

It does get a little sticky here too with floating.

Every blue moon, since we have a very small peds dept. (There is a big children's hospital right next door) we might have to float to peds to be an extra body, but not take an assignment. Seems like when we float that's all we are, a body to go somewhere, doesn't matter the skill level.

fergus51 · Nov 13, 2002

RNPD, I do think med-surg is a specialty, that's why I put quotation marks around the word in my post and said "considered". You sound like you agree with me, even though you completely misinterpreted my post:)

It is a bunch of crap that I'm expected to float to med-surg when I'm an OB nurse because med sug isn't considered a specialty by our administrators. This idea that any nurse can do med-surg, or that med-surg is "generalist" nursing is bull. I did med-sug for a total of 3 months as a new grad and that was years ago. The reason I don't still do it is because I hated it and sucked at it. I always say God bless med-surg nurses because I couldn't have stayed there if my life depended on it! L&D is completely different and I don't think it is fair for administrators to expect me to remain current in doing your job. I work L&D, that's my job. I can't be expected to remain current in med-surg anymore than you should be expected to remain current in psych. It's stupid.

cactus wren · Nov 14, 2002

Floating in small hospitals really s**** Mainly because there is only one icu, ob dept. etc...When the ICU census is down one of the 2 nurses are expected to float, M/S isn`t too bad, at least it`s nearby so whoever drew the short end can run back and find stuff...like thermameters, tape, Our lovely DON has the attitude that an RN is an RN.....so..........then off to ob we are sent, I have nightmares about a few of those shifts......HELP syndrome anyone.?..never heard of it, now will NEVER forget it.....Don`t mind ER, have kept my TNCC up....But i think the very WORST is being told" You are the only ACLS here today, so you`re CHARGE"....HAve never ,never had one iota of orientation to that role......Good thing I work with really great bunch, and they tell me what I need to be doing..... I have been known to offer bribes to ER docs to admit anyone to ICU, so I can get back into my own world.....They laugh at me...On the other hand same DON>>>a rn is a rn >>>> has sent me an OB nurse to ICU when we were short( someone sick, usually) and those poor girls are as out of their element as I am in theirs....Told one to keep an eye on monitors for decels:D she Knew what they looked like....When we go to M/S if there is 2 patients in ICU, we can`t have patient assign...so...we get to be the DRUG PUSHER,...for that shift, and general gofer...that is a pain in the ***, but doable....I have trouble prioitizing when I have patients on MS, 8 patients or so is loads different than my 2....

dimianmh · Nov 14, 2002

yeah floating can be hard, and put a nurse off balance. at times i float from mental health inpatient to medical and its a challenge

OBNURSEHEATHER · Nov 14, 2002

I work post partum/nursery, and the only places I'm required to float to are all units that are women's or children related: NICU, Peds, L&D, and Antepartum/Gyn. (I did volunteer to go up to adolescent psych once - it is considered part of the children's hospital)

The only place I take an assignment is the ante/gyn unit. I'll take gyns and stable antepartums. But mind you, I received an orientation to this unit, and I feel comfortable doing it.

Everywhere else I'll function as an aide. I'll do anything they ask me to, and some things that they don't ask me to, but they are things that during a busy day, I myself would appreciate having someone else do for me.

I make it clear when I walk in the door of that unit that I'm not comfortable taking an assignment, but I'm there to do anything that I can to help. And I've always been thanked when I leave.

Do I like floating? No. It takes me away from my "family," my "home." But I do it, because I know what it's like to have a helping hand, even for the little things. I know how nice it is to see an extra face and set of hands on those hairy days. :)

Heather

RNPD · Nov 14, 2002

Sorry fergus, I did misinterpret. I guess I was tired that day! Glad we agree and no hard feelings, I hope!

fergus51 · Nov 14, 2002

None here, I know all too well how easy it is to misinterpret when we can't rely on tone of voice and facial expressions.

ohbet · Nov 16, 2002

I work at a mostly LTC facility with one floor being acute and rehab.Floating is based on managements decisions,Ive posted this before>Some get floated and some dont. Various rationals have been given. At first I thought this was unfair,but sometimes I enjoy floating,enjoy using more skills,seeing new patients and situations,plus it avoids the politics of being on one floor to long,this is hard to explain.

oldgirl, RN · Nov 16, 2002

I think floating is a lousy word to use to describe the whole situation! SOunds light and airy and easy. Alternative combat assignment would be more accurate. IMHO.

Maula, RN · Nov 16, 2002

I am an ICU nurse who had to floeat to the cardiovascular ICU. I had 2 very critical heart patients. This was threatening to me because I work in the trauma ICU and know very little about the heart with the exception of reading EKGs. I simply stated this and I received a more appropriate assignment. I hate floating, but it is necessary. We are a team. Teamwork is a must. If one unit is short and another unit needs you then I think it is our responsibility to float to help the hometeam. That said, I hate floating to the floor. As a nurse that works the night shift in the ICU we have 1 or 2 patients, on the floor we are subject to have 8 patients. But the bottom line is that it is necessary. So I have to thank god each day I don't have to float and pray that the shift goes well on each day I do float. Most units are really happy to have the help. And it reminds me that my unit isn't so bad afterall;)