Recommended Citation
Tavs K. Float standardization: Creating a welcoming environment & safe float experience. Quality Improvement poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Presentation Notes
Quality Improvement poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Abstract
Background:
Chief Nursing Officer listening sessions revealed unit and float nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) dissatisfaction with floating between inpatient units, Women’s Health, and Emergency Department boarding. Specific improvement interventions included facilitating a welcoming environment, providing tools to provide safe care, and offering a meal break.
Local Problem: RN/CNA Float Experience Pre-Survey – January 2023
- 46% “rarely” or “never” welcomed to the unit by the Charge RN or team
- 76% “rarely or “never” offered a tour or asked if they know where everything is located
- 30% “rarely” or “never” provided the tools and resources to provide safe care
- 51% “rarely or “never” offered a meal break
Method: A workgroup of Shared Governance nurse leaders determined two solutions to the problem 1) Create a standardized Charge RN Guide with exclusion assignment guidelines and set expectations 2) Create unit float guidelines for RN and CNA including unit standards. A Post-Float Satisfaction survey is sent to each nursing teammate who floats within 24 hours of floating. Patient Care Managers follow up on results as needed.
Results/Conclusions: RN/CNAPost-Float Satisfaction surveys between February-April 2023
- 86% welcomed to the unit by the Charge RN or team
- 86% familiar with, offered a tour, or asked if they knew where everything was located
- 73% familiar with or provided the tools/resources to provide safe patient care for the shift including a physical copy of the Unit Float Guide
- 70% offered a meal break
Implications for Practice: Standardization of the nursing float experience through established guidelines has positively impacted ability to provide safe patient care. Creating a welcoming and safe environment for float staff improves overall job satisfaction and retention. Sustainability of this success will be measured by intermittent Post-Float Satisfaction surveys and manager engagement in promoting a healthy work environment.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-15-2023
Float standardization: Creating a welcoming environment & safe float experience
Background:
Chief Nursing Officer listening sessions revealed unit and float nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) dissatisfaction with floating between inpatient units, Women’s Health, and Emergency Department boarding. Specific improvement interventions included facilitating a welcoming environment, providing tools to provide safe care, and offering a meal break.
Local Problem: RN/CNA Float Experience Pre-Survey – January 2023
- 46% “rarely” or “never” welcomed to the unit by the Charge RN or team
- 76% “rarely or “never” offered a tour or asked if they know where everything is located
- 30% “rarely” or “never” provided the tools and resources to provide safe care
- 51% “rarely or “never” offered a meal break
Method: A workgroup of Shared Governance nurse leaders determined two solutions to the problem 1) Create a standardized Charge RN Guide with exclusion assignment guidelines and set expectations 2) Create unit float guidelines for RN and CNA including unit standards. A Post-Float Satisfaction survey is sent to each nursing teammate who floats within 24 hours of floating. Patient Care Managers follow up on results as needed.
Results/Conclusions: RN/CNAPost-Float Satisfaction surveys between February-April 2023
- 86% welcomed to the unit by the Charge RN or team
- 86% familiar with, offered a tour, or asked if they knew where everything was located
- 73% familiar with or provided the tools/resources to provide safe patient care for the shift including a physical copy of the Unit Float Guide
- 70% offered a meal break
Implications for Practice: Standardization of the nursing float experience through established guidelines has positively impacted ability to provide safe patient care. Creating a welcoming and safe environment for float staff improves overall job satisfaction and retention. Sustainability of this success will be measured by intermittent Post-Float Satisfaction surveys and manager engagement in promoting a healthy work environment.
Affiliations
Aurora Medical Center Grafton