Structures to support the development and growth of float pool nurses are essential to strengthening the appeal of float pool participation. Many new graduates were eager to join Princess Alexandra Hospital’s first float pool. For new grads, a float pool provides the opportunity to be employed at a major health center, exposure to different clinical areas, and part-time hours to assimilating to the RN role and work environment.
Leaders at PAH developed a program within the float pool specifically for these new graduate nurses. They trained these nurses using a portion of government incentive funding earmarked for hiring newly graduated nurses. This helped new graduates feel more confident practicing across the hospital.
They used the other portion to train experienced nurses as graduate clinical facilitators. These facilitators provide 24/7 support for nurses in the float pool. In addition, the facilitator position also provides exposure to a wide array of specialist competencies.