The current publication "Stretching Boundaries - Nurses' Perceptions on Job Demands and Resources in Hospital Float Pools" in the Journal of Nursing Management examines how nurses perceive the requirements and resources in so-called "float pools" - i.e. flexible staff pools that are used in hospitals when teams need to be supported at short notice.

Key messages:

• Nurses report a high workload due to frequent changes in areas of deployment, different processes and a high level of uncertainty in routines.
• At the same time, it is clear that certain resources help to compensate for these burdens - e.g. a good introduction to new units, team support, flexibility in the duty rota and experienced colleagues.
• Particularly interesting: Expectations of the workload are often higher than the actual experience - after a certain familiarization period, many tasks are experienced as more manageable than initially feared.

Implications:

The results provide important information for hospital management and nursing management:

• Assignment pools should be designed to provide stability and support nurses - for example through training, clear communication channels and orientation in new areas.
• Expectations should be made transparent - to reduce anxiety and uncertainty.
• Resources such as flexibility, appreciation and team atmosphere are crucial to maintaining job satisfaction and reducing stress.