2015-25: Developing Psychiatric Nursing Skills in Medical Float Pool Staff through a Novel Psychiatric Nurse Cross-Training Program 

This presentation introduces an innovative cross-training program designed to equip medical float pool RNs with psychiatric nursing skills. We explore benefits for medical and psychiatric nurses and their units, the program’s development, case studies demonstrating improved patient outcomes, and key challenges and successes.

Presenters:  Bob Bencangey, DNP, MSN, PMHRN-BC; Spencer Font, MSN, PMHNP-BC, CPEN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  45 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

•  Identify one potential benefit of creating a cross-training program to equip medical float pool RNs with psychiatric nursing skills.

Key Takeaway(s): 

• Nurses in medical units are essential partners in caring for patients with mental health needs. Confidence in psychiatric care and effective de-escalation fosters safety, trust, and individualized care.
• For nurses entering mental health nursing, addressing fears and worries, openly discussing expectations, fostering mental readiness, and providing structured psychiatric education are vital for success.

Keywords:  Cross-training, Psychiatric Nursing, Nurse Transition Program

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.75 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 4, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

*For an uninterrupted learning experience, please download and use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, etc. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to update your browser.