Getting Mandated and Floated (LPN)

00:01 As a nurse, you can be mandated or floated.

00:05 So we're going to talk about these.

00:07 So in some jobs, you can be mandated or required to do overtime.

00:13 What this basically means is that they don't have enough staff for the next shift and they can make you stay over.

00:20 Usually, this is about 4 hours.

00:23 Technically, they say that you can be mandated into work, but just don't answer your phone, friends.

00:30 This hopefully doesn't happen often on a well managed and staffed unit.

00:35 And most places have caps for how many times you can be mandated in a certain period.

00:41 But just be aware.

00:42 Now, if you work inpatient, this is a thing and it's not fun.

00:47 So you want to make sure you ask about it in your interviews.

00:51 Being floated is a nicer way of saying you have to work your scheduled shift, but you're going to be working on another unit.

00:59 And this section is in here, because I literally had no idea that these things could happen as a new nurse until they did they happen to me.

01:08 And I was like, "Wait, what?" So being floated is when the House Supervisor determines that another unit needs you more than your home unit, you will go work on those other units.

01:21 And honestly, it's a bit disorienting, but not the end of the world.

01:26 However, you need to be willing to ask questions because the treatment or the patient population may be quite different than you're used to.

01:35 I've had this happen to me many times as a nurse.

01:38 I remember a particular time when I got floated to an orthopedic unit, and had to perform pin site care on a patient with a fracture.

01:48 I had not done this since nursing school and had to ask another nurse to walk me through it.

01:54 Now this may sound dangerous, but all nurses should have a basic understanding of the concepts of sterility, infection control measures and basic wound care.

02:04 This is kind of a shock to a new nurse, but I wanted you to know that this can happen.

02:10 So before accepting a position as a nurse, make sure to ask for floating and mandating policies.