refuse to float ?

Usually I ask during the telephone interview. If a hospital is using a traveler they are usually short handed and the likely hood of floating is less. As a House Supervisor I usually floated staff nurses before traveler or agency nurses. On the rare occasion that I had to float a traveler it was just to be an assistant to one of the staff. Starting IV's, vitals and other technical activities that would free up the primary nurse for all the paper work stuff that we all love so well. Hope that helps

Can a travel nurse have "refuse to float" written in their contract? Or do all travel nurses have to float? I was thinking what if your specialty is ob/gyn and they want you to float to oncology or something? Wouldn't that be dangerous?

Get it written into your contract that you are not to float to other units.

At some hospitals, travelers are the first to float.

I always have the following things written into my contract: No floating, no being on-call, no charge duties. I work in ER, though, and ER's don't float people out very often.

I have discussed this with my recruiters, and make it very clear in my interviews that I will float 1)only in rotation with the regular staff and 2)only to be the extra set of hands - not taking a pt. assignment. I tell the manager interviewing me that if this doesn't work well for their facility, then I am not a good fit for them and understand if they do not offer the position.

Of course, after I get there I have had the occasional incident where a house supervisor or such decides I should float anyway and do what they assign. I have no problem standing my ground, and have been backed completely by my agency on this. I do offer alternatives in this situation - "I can't do that, but I will be glad to do this to help out" but have also gotten to the point of having a supervisor tell me I MUST take the float, to which I replied (since I had not yet clocked in or gotten report), "No I don't have to - there is a door right there and if you want I can walk right out of it". She backed down. Don't try this though unless you are willing to go home and pack and KNOW that your agency will back you!

I have only refused to float to ICU. I would be nervous they would not hire me if I had that in the contract. The managers usually tell me in the interview where I will float to and ask if I am comfortable doing so. Last assignment I floated about once a week. That was a tele floor and the hospital had 2 different Tele floors. I would go there or med/surg. Everyone got to know me.

Definately have it written into your contract. Some of the reasons I decided to do such: frequently the contract nurse is the first to float, expected to function as others - typically don't have an orientation and they may do charting differently than what you were shown (computer vs paper vs different paper forms within the same facility), By accepting the assignment you are agreeing that you are capable of performing the job. I personally value my license and am not willing to compromise it for a poorly managed facility. I have offered to help and do the admission paper work, or start IV's, pass meds, hang blood or whatever, but not take a patient load outside of the department I hired for. SAFETY FIRST ... For patients and me :)

I would never go to an unknown city, an unknown hospital and then turn around and work in an unknown specialty no matter what. It sounds much like a recipe for trouble and if you think the facility cares what happens to your career you are mistaken. You are a disposable short term asset. Do you see your license that way ? If not stand up for your self and GET IT IN WRITING at least you will have a leg to stand on. Like my mom told me on graduation day "you are a nurse in America, you can ALWAYS get another job but NEVER another license"

I was recently floated to ICU (I am a M/S nurse) to CLEAN!! Yep, they wanted me to sweep, mop and stock cabinets. I walked out!

Called my agency in the morning and they backed me 100%!

WHEW! I have since had other travelers at the hospital thank me for taking a stand.

Trish