Variability isn’t a challenge for nurses in our float pool; it’s the rhythm of their workday. These nurses move seamlessly between departments, learning new routines, connecting with different colleagues and caring for patients wherever they’re needed most.
Every day brings something new. Every shift calls for flexibility. And through it all, they model the very essence of teamwork and adaptability.
Built for Adaptability
“You never know what you’re going to experience, and there’s a beauty in that,” said Helen Lee Marx, who has worked in the float pool for more than two decades. “Every day is something different, and I thrive in that.”
That adaptability is what keeps many nurses, like Kristin Berry, one of our float pool nurses at The Woodlands Campus, energized. “If you’re someone who doesn’t like being bored or feeling stagnant, the float pool is great,” she said. “You’re doing something different every day. Sometimes you start your shift in one place and get pulled to another. You just roll with it.”
The ability to shift gears quickly requires not only clinical expertise, but also calm confidence. It’s a daily exercise in flexibility and focus that reflects the excellence we routinely strive for at Texas Children’s.
Empathy on Every Unit
Adaptability means mastering new spaces and workflows. It also means working with new people, including patients, families and team members.
Kristin sees empathy in action every day, especially when caring for families who are anxious or unfamiliar with the hospital environment. “There are things that feel very basic to us,” she said, “but for that family, it might be their first hospital visit. Taking time to explain what’s happening makes all the difference.”
Her approach echoes across the float pool community: compassion first, no matter the setting. “Even if it’s just a small reassurance, it eases their worries,” Kristin said. “That’s the part of the job I love.”
This ability to walk into a new environment and build trust within moments embodies the respect we show to our patient families and each other every day. Float pool nurses know that while their surroundings may change, the need for empathy never does.
Lifelong Learners and Mentors
For many float pool nurses, the learning never stops, and that’s exactly how they like it.
“It keeps me busy, but it also keeps my skills sharp,” said Shelly Brown, who has spent much of her career in obstetrical nursing. “You can’t get complacent in this role. One day you’re caring for a mom in labor; the next you’re supporting a postpartum patient. It keeps you on your toes.”
As both a clinician and educator, Shelly makes it her mission to help newer nurses understand the “why” behind every action. “Nursing isn’t just about doing, it’s about knowing why we do what we do,” she explained. “If you don’t want to learn or grow, that’s when you become complacent. And complacency can be dangerous.”
From simulations to certifications and mentoring moments on the unit, float pool nurses keep their knowledge evolving. Their dedication reflects our values of accountability and trust, ensuring that every patient benefits from a team grounded in skill and curiosity.
Finding Purpose in Change
The float pool’s spirit of teamwork and shared purpose is anchored in humility. As Kristin described, “We get to truly feel like we’re part of the family of each unit,” she said. “You learn how much everyone depends on each other.”
“Even when the day doesn’t go as planned, you find the reason you’re there,” Kristin added. “That’s what keeps me grounded.”
This willingness to step into uncertainty with empathy and skill is what makes float pool nurses so vital to the Texas Children’s mission. Their flexibility keeps our system strong. Their compassion keeps it human.
Float pool nurses remind us that thriving in change is a mindset. Whether stepping into an unfamiliar unit, mentoring a new nurse or calming a worried family, they embody what it means to lead with HEART. As they move between spaces, their adaptability makes every space better for the patients and teams they serve.