Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
  Laurie Connors, DNP, APRN, FAANP
• Committee Member Name & Credentials:
  Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, FCCM

DNP Project Abstract

Self-Efficacy in Critical Care Float Pool Advance Practice Providers

Purpose
To decrease patient-to-intensivist ratios, many institutions cross-train advanced practice providers (APPs) to staff various ICUs, providing greater flexibility in staffing needs. A recently developed APP critical care float pool provides APP to supplement any staffing deficits in the seven specialized critical care units. Currently, the benefit of an APP float pool is unknown. The purpose of this project was to evaluate self-efficacy in float pool and unit-based critical care APPs and to evaluate the perception of the APP float pool.

Methods
The General Self-Efficacy (GSE) and the Nurse Prescribing Self-Efficacy surveys were utilized. Qualitative data illuminates contributors and obstacles to self-efficacy and perception of the critical care float pool.

Results
GSE scores ranged from 28-38 with a mean score of 32.78 (SD 3.04). The mean score of critical care float pool APPs (n=2) was 32, while the mean score of unit-based critical care APPs (n=12) was 32.92 ± 3.04 (SD). For the Nurse Prescribing Self-Efficacy Survey, scores ranged from 59-91 with a mean score of 76.31 ± 9.31 (SD). The mean score of critical care float APPs (n=2) was 69.5, while the mean score of unit-based critical care APPs (n=11) was 77.

Implications for Practice
APPs working within the float pool and in dedicated units possess similar levels of self-efficacy. Qualitative data collected demonstrates that availability of critical care float pool provides a unique resource to unit-based critical care APPs to facilitate consistency in staffing. Further studies evaluating self-efficacy scores of new graduate and APPs with less experience would benefit greatly benefit the utility of dissemination and application of this data. Continuation, development, and expansion of the APP float pool will greatly contribute to operations and workplace satisfaction of unit-based APPs.