Study on attitude differences between clinical nurses and nursing managers towards float nurse and multiple-sites practice

Objective To investigate and compare the attitudes of clinical nurses and nursing managers towards float nurse, and to provide references for the implementation of nurse mobile practice mode in China. Methods By stratified sampling, the survey was conducted on clinical nurses and nursing managers of 15 tertiary hospitals in 9 prefecture-level cities in Fujian. Results A total of 9 389 valid questionnaires were recovered, including 525 for nursing managers and 8 864 for clinical nurses. By comparing the attitudes between two groups, it was found that nursing managers who knew more about mobile practice were more willing to practice floating practice, including 50.86% (267/525) heard and inquired, 49.14% (258/525) willing to float, than clinical nurses who paid less attention, including 32.41% (2 873/8 864) heard and inquired, 38.87% (3 445/8 864) willing to float. Multi-factor analysis showed that among nursing managers, those with a bachelor’s degree or above was more willing to float. While among clinical nurses, young, unmarried, side, bachelor degree or above were more willing to float. On the choice of flow mode, nursing managers were inclined to float between hospitals (46.54%, 215/525), but clinical nurses were prone to community float (42.45%, 3 142/8 864). Furthermore, nursing managers had higher requirements on the professional title and seniority of float nurse, and 39.43% (207/525) believe that the professional title should be supervisor, while 81.71% (429/525) thought that length of service as a nurse should be 5 years or more. Conclusion There are differences between clinical nurses and nursing managers in such aspects as the intention of floating practice, obstacles and guarantee factors, cognition and selection of demanders, and acceptance of practice threshold. The above differences should be fully considered in the trial of the "Internet + Nursing" floating practice mode for nurses. Key words: Nursing management; Float nurse; Multi-site practice