Floating is an acceptable legal practice used by hospitals to alleviate understaffing or overstaffing. A nurse cannot legally refuse to float unless there is a union contract which guarantees that nurses only have to work in specific areas or if the nurse can prove that he/she does not have the knowledge to perform the assigned tasks. Previous disciplinary action is not a valid reason unless the judgement expressly forbids working in the ICU. Feeling unprepared is also not a valid excuse as all nurses expected to float are required to be offered an orientation to the new unit.