Publication Date

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Denise Dawkins

Keywords

Buddy program, mentorship, float pool, psychological empowerment

Abstract

Float pool nurses play a vital role in maintaining hospital operations; however, they often experience role ambiguity, inconsistent integration, and reduced psychosocial empowerment, which may negatively influence engagement and retention. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project implemented and evaluated a structured buddy program designed to enhance psychological empowerment among float pool nurses in a large academic medical center. Guided by Gretchen Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment Framework, the project examined changes across four domains: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact. A pre-post design was used to assess outcomes before and after implementation. Five nurses completed the preintervention survey; of these, four completed the post-intervention measures and were included in the paired analyses. Although statistical significance was not achieved due to the small sample size, consistent directional improvement was observed across all empowerment domains. Moderate to large effect sizes were identified in meaning, impact, and autonomy, suggesting practical significance. Qualitative feedback supported these findings, with participants reporting improved connection to units, clearer expectations, and increased perceived support. These results provide preliminary evidence that structured peer mentorship may strengthen psychological empowerment and professional integration among float nurses. Further evaluation with a larger sample and sustained implementation is warranted to assess long-term impact on engagement and workforce stability.

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