*The Float nurse* anyone care to share?

[Newgrad_STAT]

I recently finished 2+ months of orientation/precepted shifts for a full-time float pool position at a great trauma hospital, I have been through MANY different preceptors, picked up a few tips and tricks and learned to roll with the bunches.

I started floating on my own Friday (I'm currently doing my nights then I will switch to days in about 1 1/2 weeks). My first night shift I was booked on a neurosurgey floor with a step down unit... wooo a little different than I envisioned. Heavy Heavy floor... especially for a first timer. I had 5 patients + a new admission. Something about new admissions on nights that stresses me out like crazy (no business clerk) - I'm never 100% sure if I'm doing it right or if I've missed something important. Thankfully the staff that night was very understanding and beyond helpful.

My second night- I was back on a stroke unit- where I spent about 3 weeks orientating there. So, not so bad. Felt nice knowing the floor, the flow and some of the staff.

My Third night (Sunday)... whoaaaaaaaa. I was booked on a GI surgical floor. So prior to going into my shift I did a little research (thought I'd like to be "somewhat" prepared- didn't help at all LOL). Anyways, the floor was like night and day from everything else I've learnt. Very hard... I felt in over my head... I mean 85% of the meds, procedures, tubes, trains, pumps etc I've never seen. But I just did the best I could and asked lots of questions . It was a very busy night but somehow everyone else managed to fit in a 'nap' break. I forgot about the break and just focused on getting what I needed done. I was flying around like a bat out of hell. Also, they were short staffed on nights and had me a new nurse/new to the floor + another nurse from another floor who also has never been there... so one of the regular staff nurses was quite upset... friendly but upset. I just kept thinking "don't blame this on me I just go where I'm booked"

So, it comes time to give report to the oncoming nurses and I'm thinking this is all chinese to me. I tried my best... not sure if I even made sense. I let them know that "hey I am new, new to the float team and most definitely new to this floor- I tried my best and I hope I have not missed anything".

Might I add, I also stutter... and sometimes it is definitely more noticeable. I could only imagine what they were thinking.

And the funny thing is... each floor I go too the staff nurses there always stress how hard the floor is and the workload... but then I go to another floor and the workload is 10x harder.

The experience is out of this world... but so is the stress.

I keep hearing how a resource team/float team isn't good for a new grad but about 90% of us are or started out as one there.

I hear both negative and positive stories. I am beyond thankful to have landed this position and I try to focus on the positive and know that not every day will be the best day... but I will try my best since that is all I can do.

I just worry about getting to a new floor with an extremely hard patient assignment and not having any "nice" nurses to turn to for help. :uhoh21:

[LynnLRN]

I floated a lot in my old position. It was hard at first but eventually you start figuring everything out, meet more people, see more things. Just give it time. Even new nurses who work on one floor have difficulty and question themselves. I think you will be ok as long as you ALWAYS ask questions if you haven't seen it before or given a certain med before, or if you think a patient doesn't look right. Look at policies/procedures/medication references before doing new things.I know sometimes it gets busy and you may think you just need to go do it, but i say better a few minutes late than to do it wrong and cause injury. I suggest for a while until you have gained more knowledge and confidence showing up to work a bit early to get your assignment so that you can review labs/meds/read h&p and research the diagnosis if you haven't seen it before. Just be assertive, people do not have to be nice, just don't let them ignore you.

[Newgrad_STAT]

LOL... well I'm going back to the Gi surgical floor again tonight.

Hoping things run a little smoother and I get a chance to take somewhat of a break and give a decent report.

[brownbook]

My first job as a new RN was my assigned unit two nights a week, and float pool two nights a week, in a large acute care hospital.

I loved it, but realize that fortunately, or unfortunately, time erases the "yikes what an awful night that was" memories!! However I know no patient was harmed in the making of these memories.

I think floating is 99.9% personality. And it seems like you have the personality for it.

I am currently working per diem in out patient surgery and sometimes get called into work when regular staff is cancelled because the regular staff have never worked (floated) to the area where they need help that day.

Don't let your fellow nurses who say they wouldn't want a float taking care of their loved one get you down. I would request you as my nurse or my grandchild's nurse any day of the week, you sound like a great nurse.

[ckrene01]

I am just about to start my first critical care float position soon. Even though I have 2 years experience in a Neurosurgical ICU, I still feel extremely nervous about floating to ICUs like Burn, CTICU, MICU, SICU. I am starting to feel like my two years experience is very limited. Even though I was very excited to accept the job, I am starting to have doubts that I am ready. With that being said, I am trying to look over some of my critical care notes, but does anyone have any suggestions on books or flashcards to buy that would help me feel at least a little prepared?

thanks in advance :)

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

I'll agree with what a few others have said. Float has a high learning curve. It's kind of sink or swim I suppose. But you see so much, and the fact that you don't get involved in the departmental politics and just general poop is great.

Where I am, I'm lucky enough that the charge nurses are usually so happy to have me that they won't give me the heaviest patient load. Well, I might end up with first admission though lol. They know if they do, I might not come back to help them (my facility does allow float to specify units they won't go to if they have a good reason). And since at the end of the day, our common goal is to keep patients alive and well, the other nurses will be there to answer questions. If not, call house supervisors and ask. I'm sure they'd rather deal with your questions than a code.