Observation and floating

[ehipprn]

I work on a very large observation unit (50 beds that can surg to 55) and our average length of stay is around 17 hours. This means we turn over our unit almost every day. Our census fluctuates all the time which causes the staff to float frequently. The frequent floating has created some discontent for the staff on our unit. I am asking what other units do to combat this situation and alleviate the issue of frequent floating? Thanks in advance.

[robert82882]

I work in an OBS u it too and I am looking to get out before the summer. Last year I was either pulled or cancelled. That's not what I signed up for.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Wow.....that's a huge obs unit. It's just an extension of the ER at everywhere I have worked usually with up to 12 beds. With a unit that size....I can see fluctuations being a huge issue. Do they train and orient you to the floors you are expected to float to? How's the staffing? With a float unit and how short stays are, do they have unrealistic charting expectations?

[ehipprn]

a

Wow.....that's a huge obs unit. It's just an extension of the ER at everywhere I have worked usually with up to 12 beds. With a unit that size....I can see fluctuations being a huge issue. Do they train and orient you to the floors you are expected to float to? How's the staffing? With a float unit and how short stays are, do they have unrealistic charting expectations?

Our charting isn't unrealistic as long as the patient is truly an obs patient and not inappropriately placed. We are not trained on other units and we are considered as part of the med surg division. Our patient ration isn't awful either. We take five and flex to six. So our floats can be to any med surg floor but not intermediate or icu. We tend to staff to full capacity so I would say I float about every other week but I have floated more and less. It has become an issue. We say we are an extension of the ER but it doesn't feel like it. We chart like the inpatient side. We don't get report from ER. And we are not trained to float to ER. I have brought up cross training us but the amount of money in cross training 100+ staff to ER is a huge undertaking.

[ehipprn]

We have a pretty decent turnover unfortunately