Job Summary
The Float Nurse provides high-quality, patient-centered care across multiple hospital departments, adapting to different clinical settings and team dynamics. This role requires flexibility, strong clinical judgment, and prioritizing patient care in fast-paced environments with frequent interruptions. Float Nurses must be willing to work various shifts based on hospital needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Assignments will be determined based on departmental staffing shortages and patient acuity.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Patient Care:
- Provide direct patient care in assigned departments based on hospital needs.
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care for patients by best practices.
- Administer medications, treatments, and therapies following physician orders and hospital protocols.
- Maintain accurate and timely electronic health record (EHR) documentation.
- Perform comprehensive patient assessments and respond to changes in patient condition promptly.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Work closely with physicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers, providing education and emotional support as needed.
- Actively participate in shift handoffs, providing clear and concise reports on patient status.
Adaptability & Competency:
- Be proficient in working across multiple units, including Medical-Surgical (MSU), Critical Care Unit (CCU), Emergency Room (ER), Family Birth Center (FBC), and other assigned areas.
- Maintain current knowledge of hospital policies, protocols, and procedures in all assigned departments.
- Demonstrate competency in department-specific skills and equipment use.
Compliance & Safety:
- Adhere to all infection control, patient safety, and hospital policies.
- Follow HIPAA regulations to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Participate in hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives and training.
- Respond to emergencies such as Code Blue or Rapid Response calls.
Professional Development:
- Engage in continuing education and training to maintain licensure and enhance nursing skills.
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and departmental updates.
- Serve as a mentor or resource for newer nurses as needed.
Job Requirements
- Required Education: AS Nursing, BSN preferred
- Required Licenses and/or Certifications:
- Idaho Registered Nurse (RN) or compact state license
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- ACLS, PALS, and other specialty certifications preferred depending on assigned areas
- Required Work experience: Minimum of 1 year of hospital-based nursing experience
Functional Demands
- Population(s) served: Neonate, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric. All genders, race, ethnic, sociopolitical, demographic, marital and sexual preference groups, developmental and physical abilities, religions, and nationalities. May have impairments of any or all body systems and senses.
- Physical demands:
- Lifting: Occasional: maximum of 40 lbs. floor to waist, 2 x per hour, 12 x per day; Frequent: maximum of 2-8 lbs., floor to overhead, 10 x hour, 60 x per shift; Items Lifted: CPM, trays, IV's, linen, medical equipment
- Transfers: Bed-bed, floor-bed, stand pivot, bed-chair. Min-max assist required up to 30 times per 12 hours shift. Up to 8 times per hour.
- Push/Pull: Moderate force required for bed and W/C pushing from 5-100 yards. Minimal force to push trays, medical carts, etc. Total pushes per day: up to 30
- Carry: 2-8 lbs.
- Fine Motor: High level required for injections, computer use etc.
- Standing: Up to 5 hours at one time and 10 hours per day
- Sitting: Up to 30 minutes at one time and 2 hours per day
- Kneeling: Up to 5 minutes at one time and 15 minutes per day
- Stooping: Up to 15 minutes at one time and 1 hour per day
- Climbing: Up to 1 minute at one time and 5 minutes per day
- Must possess good manual and finger dexterity. Visual requirements include near and far acuity, depth perception, color differentiation, and focusing ability. Hearing, speech, and sense of touch are essential. Occasional repetitive motion activities.
- Environmental conditions: Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne disease. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to/occasionally exposed to patient elements, i.e., accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations; emergencies and crisis situations. Occasionally subjected to irregular hours/shifts. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and injuries.
- Schedule & Work Conditions:
- Float Nurses must be willing to work various shifts based on hospital needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Assignments will be determined based on departmental staffing shortages and patient acuity.
- Must be able to work in high-stress, fast-paced environments with frequent interruptions.
