UCLA Float Nurses, Including Bi-Coastal Staff, Lose Flexibility Under New Schedule Policy

A sweeping scheduling policy change for float pool nurses at UCLA Health has triggered protests, widespread concern among staff, and warnings from nursing advocates that the move could destabilize patient care and staffing across the health system. The changes primarily impact those who rely on the flexibility of working in the float pool and bicoastal nurses who commute to UCLA from other states. 

Policy Change and Its Impact

• UCLA Health implemented a new scheduling policy for float pool nurses in May 2024, requiring them to work at least one shift per week instead of allowing flexible scheduling of four shifts at any time during the month.
• This change indeed reduces flexibility, which was a key reason many nurses joined the float pool—especially those with family, elder care, second jobs, or educational commitments.

Policy Change Reduces Flexibility

In May 2024, UCLA Health implemented a new rule requiring float pool nurses—those who fill staffing gaps across multiple hospital units—to work at least one shift per week. Previously, these nurses could schedule their four required monthly shifts at any time, a flexibility that attracted nurses with family responsibilities, second jobs, advanced education commitments, or bicoastal nurses who live in other locations and commute to work at UCLA. 

Nurses say the change undermines a key benefit that drew them to the float pool, making it difficult for those who commute long distances or work bi-coastally to continue in their roles. The new policy also restricts absences to just four per year, further tightening scheduling options.

“They’ve taken away the flexibility, and that’s why people are on the float pool,” said Kimberly Anderson, a UCLA float pool nurse representative. “People have children. People have elder care.”

Bicoastal Nurses Feel The Impact

The new UCLA Health scheduling policy significantly impacts bicoastal nurses and those who commute long distances:

• Previously, float pool nurses could schedule all four of their required monthly shifts together—often in a single week—allowing those who live out of state or travel long distances to minimize trips to Los Angeles. For example, one nurse reported flying in once a month, working four shifts in a row, and then returning home.
• Now, the policy requires nurses to work at least one shift per week, meaning bicoastal nurses must fly in and out every week instead of once per month. This change increases both the financial and time burden of the job for those who live far from UCLA.

The new scheduling rules make it much harder for bicoastal and commuting nurses to work at UCLA, as they now must travel far more frequently and have less flexibility to manage personal and professional obligations. This has led some to consider leaving their positions, raising concerns about staff retention and patient care continuity.

Nurse Concerns and Potential Fallout

The policy shift has sparked outrage among nurses, who argue that the loss of flexibility could force up to 200 float pool nurses to resign—potentially creating dangerous staffing shortages. 

Some nurses report that they were not consulted about the change, and that management’s rationale has shifted multiple times. “These changes to our scheduling flexibility present a clear threat to nurses and their patients, who will bear the burdens of management’s arbitrary, poorly conceived ‘solutions’ to a problem of their own making,” said Neil Rudis, RN, a float pool nurse representative.

Administration’s Rationale

UCLA Health management defends the new guidelines, saying they provide “enhanced consistency” for staffing and were developed with input from per diem nurses after an extensive study1. The administration argues that the previous system—where nurses could cluster all four shifts together—made it harder to ensure adequate coverage throughout the month.

A UCLA spokesperson stated, “Scheduling guidelines in place since July 2024 have provided enhanced consistency in the available ‘pool’ of per diem nurses.”

Broader Implications

The dispute at UCLA Health reflects a larger national debate over nurse scheduling, work-life balance, and the importance of flexibility in retaining experienced staff. Float pool nurses are essential for plugging staffing gaps and reducing dependence on costly travel nurses; UCLA’s own data show that flexible scheduling led to a 45% drop in the use of contract labor and helped build a stable, experienced workforce. 

Nurses warn that the new policy could reverse these gains, leading to higher turnover and less experienced staff caring for patients. “You cannot easily replace nurses with so many years of experience and who are so skilled at caring for our patients,” said Jannel Gooden, RN.

As of June 2025, the policy remains in effect. Nurse representatives and their union continue to call for UCLA Health to restore the previous flexible scheduling system, warning that patient care and staff morale are at risk if the changes are not reversed.

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