I’ll never forget getting ready for my nursing school interview and being told, “Prepare for the unpreparable.” I have to say, this notion has definitely rung true throughout my entire experience in the nursing profession. Whether you have a new patient showing up with a condition you’ve never heard of, the doctor just entered orders that sound foreign to you, or you’re getting floated to an entirely new unit; working as a nurse comes with plenty of unexpected situations. I mean, most of us are here because we like the excitement, right?
What Does It Mean to “Get Mandated” as a Nurse?
“Getting mandated” as a nurse refers to something called mandatory overtime. Mandatory overtime occurs when a nurse is required to work over their required 40 hours of weekly work.
This can happen in a number of ways. Some examples include:
- Getting called in to work on one of your days off.
- Being asked to stay after your shift has ended (so if you’ve just finished a 12 hour shift, you could be asked to stay for an additional 4 to 6 hours).
I know, it doesn’t sound fun, does it? The main reason for mandatory overtime is staffing shortages, which we all know are common in the nursing profession. For this reason, don’t be shocked if you’re asked to work overtime at some point during your nursing career; but if it’s an ongoing theme at your unit, it may be time to seek employment elsewhere.
You can even ask about mandatory overtime before accepting a job while you’re in your interview. Most jobs should have limits relating to mandatory overtime, such as rotating between nurses before asking the same nurse multiple times in a row or only allowing a certain amount of extra hours to be worked.
A well-staffed unit should not be mandating nurses frequently; however, it happens even on some of the best units. Saying yes to overtime is a good opportunity to be a team player and build a stronger bond with your nursing coworkers, but remember to always prioritize your well-being and know when to say no.
Can You Refuse Mandatory Overtime as a Nurse?
Different states have different laws relating to overtime requirements as a nurse, so your ability to refuse overtime will vary depending on your location and the hospital you’re working at. Some states have protocols in place to protect nurses and keep patients safe in short staffing situations. For example, in the state of New York, there is a Nurse Coverage Plan that seeks to protect nurses from having to work mandatory overtime. This plan is a protocol that employers have to follow before resorting to asking nurses to work overtime.
It is also noted that mandatory overtime can only be implemented by employers in the case of a patient care emergency and after the Nurse Coverage Plan has already been implemented. This is only one state though; laws will vary depending on where you live.
If you believe that working overtime will place you or your patients at risk, then you should refuse it even if it will put your job in jeopardy.
Nurses are often placed in difficult situations that require them to use their best judgment to make a call, and the case of mandatory overtime is no exception.
Getting Mandated: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Helps to alleviate staffing shortages
- Results in a higher paycheck
- Can help support the other nurses on your unit when short staffed
Cons
- May result in burn out
- Can become dangerous for patients and nurses when overused
What Does It Mean to “Get Floated” as a Nurse?
Although many nurses dread the shifts that involve getting floated to a new unit, I have to say in comparison to mandatory overtime, it’s probably not all that bad. When you get floated as a nurse this means that you are sent to work on a different unit for the day. There are also nurses who primarily work as “float nurses,” meaning that you are on a different unit every day.
Floating is another effort used by hospitals to fill staffing shortages. For example, if one unit is understaffed while another is overstaffed, they will take nurses from the overstaffed unit and send them to work on the unit that is understaffed. Usually, you won’t be sent to a unit that is considered “higher acuity” unless you’re qualified to do so. For example, a med-surg nurse with no critical care experience would not be floated to the ICU, but an ICU nurse could be floated to a med-surg unit since med-surg patients are in less critical condition than ICU patients.
Floating can be nerve wracking at first, but you’ll soon realize it isn’t that big of a deal. Sure, there’s always the possibility that you could get floated and have an awful day, but that can happen on your regular unit as well! The biggest downside to getting floated is that you might not know many of the nurses on the other unit in the same way you know most of the nurses on your unit and you will be unfamiliar with the way things are set up (such as the supply closet and med room). These aspects can slow you down and make it hard to stay on top of your work for the day. But like I said before, you can have bad days or good days on any unit as a nurse, so just because you get floated doesn’t mean you can’t still have a good shift.
Getting Floated: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Gives you the opportunity to connect with other nurses at your hospital
- Helps to fill staffing shortages on other units
- Might offer the opportunity to hone new nursing skills since you’ll be exposed to a different unit with a unique patient population
Cons
- A lack of familiarity can make it intimidating and might slow you down
- Since the unit is probably understaffed, you may have a larger assignment than what you’re used to
Don’t Feel Bad About Putting Yourself First
When it comes to mandatory overtime and getting floated to a new unit, I feel it necessary to make a note about taking care of yourself when working as a nurse.
To a certain extent, it is great to be a team player and help your coworkers by being willing to float to a new unit or work overtime. Your leaders will appreciate your hard work and value you as an employee.However, there are always circumstances where this doesn’t ring true. Not all hospital leaders are created equal. I was blessed to work with multiple wonderful nurse managers in my time as a nurse, but not everyone is this lucky. Sometimes nurses can be asked to do too much or be made to feel guilty for saying no to working overtime.
I just want to say that you should never feel bad about prioritizing your mental health, well-being, or the safety of the patients (I mean, DUH).
It’s crazy that I even need to say these things since they should go without saying, but unfortunately, it’s a crazy world out there for nurses these days and you’ve got to look out for yourself too.
If you find yourself in a toxic workplace situation, don’t feel badly about deciding to leave. There are plenty of great work opportunities out there for nurses, and sometimes the first step in finding a new and better job is saying goodbye to the one you’re currently at.
Getting floated and mandated are just a few real-life examples of how the nursing profession likes to keep you on your toes. Both serve an important purpose in the hospital environment and have their pros and cons. Understanding what it means to get mandated and floated can help you prepare for when they happen to you.
