When asked to "float" to help out in another unit, the nurse should clarify the duties to be performed. Many skills/knowledge, such as vital signs and routine medication administration, are the same in all units. The nurse should be given a unit orientation. The nurse should then clarify applicable skills. For instance, the nurse could perform basic care but not feel comfortable watching the telemetry cardiac monitors or assisting with insertion of a pacemaker. These limitations are usually understood and respected. The qualified and experienced registered nurses on the unit perform specialized client needs, and the "float" nurse performs basic client needs. The nurse is liable to provide safe care for the assigned duties and perform them in a competent manner. The nurse should personally document any concerns raised with the supervisor and avoid discussing personal feelings about the "float" with clients or other staff.
(Option 2) There will be neither time nor need to read an entire policy book on specialized care.
(Option 3) There is legal precedence that refusal to go when asked to "float" can result in disciplinary action. Options in which the nurse can provide safe care rather make an across-the-board refusal should be explored. The hospital is required to provide safe care and is liable if a unit is insufficiently staffed.
(Option 4) This would be considered a refusal. The supervisor probably has considered options (eg, staff in other units) and has chosen this nurse. If a more qualified individual was available, the supervisor probably would have already sent this person.
Educational objective: When a nurse is asked to care for clients in an unfamiliar population ("float"), the duties to be performed and the nurse's limitations in skills or knowledge of specialized care should be clarified. Refusing to go can result in disciplinary action, including termination.
When asked to "float" to help out in another unit, the nurse should clarify the duties to be performed. Many skills/knowledge, such as vital signs and routine medication administration, are the same in all units. The nurse should be given a unit orientation. The nurse should then clarify applicable skills. For instance, the nurse could perform basic care but not feel comfortable watching the telemetry cardiac monitors or assisting with insertion of a pacemaker. These limitations are usually understood and respected. The qualified and experienced registered nurses on the unit perform specialized client needs, and the "float" nurse performs basic client needs. The nurse is liable to provide safe care for the assigned duties and perform them in a competent manner. The nurse should personally document any concerns raised with the supervisor and avoid discussing personal feelings about the "float" with clients or other staff.
(Option 2) There will be neither time nor need to read an entire policy book on specialized care.
(Option 3) There is legal precedence that refusal to go when asked to "float" can result in disciplinary action. Options in which the nurse can provide safe care rather make an across-the-board refusal should be explored. The hospital is required to provide safe care and is liable if a unit is insufficiently staffed.
(Option 4) This would be considered a refusal. The supervisor probably has considered options (eg, staff in other units) and has chosen this nurse. If a more qualified individual was available, the supervisor probably would have already sent this person.
Educational objective: When a nurse is asked to care for clients in an unfamiliar population ("float"), the duties to be performed and the nurse's limitations in skills or knowledge of specialized care should be clarified. Refusing to go can result in disciplinary action, including termination.
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