Short staffing incentive ideas???

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We are experiencing our typical summer baby boom at work and consequently are extremely short staffed on the large OB unit I work on. Usually a robocall will go out (similar to the one schools use to call off school) to alert staff that extra help is needed. All staff are called at one time. Typically they will first offer on call (time and a half pay) and single bonus (extra $10/hour). If they get no takers, the offer is increased to on call and double bonus (time and a half plus an extra $20/hour). Even though that is a lot of money, staff are tired of coming in extra and coming in and working very short staffed and therefor the response is dwindling. Does anyone have any other unique or innovative staffing incentives for times like these? I appreciate any ideas you may have. Tired in STL

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Perhaps, administration should realize that short staffing will not be covered .. by a short staff?

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Hire a couple travelers?

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Apparently they are looking into travelers at this time. Thanks

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Ha!! Indeed. If we ran that place.....

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Perhaps, administration should realize that short staffing will not be covered .. by a short staff?

:up::up::up:!!!!!!!

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We were offered bonus packages. For example three extra shifts you get 750 dollars. 8 extra shifts you get 2000 dollars. 3 weekend shifts 1000 dollars. Each shift 250 dollars. I cleaned up last summer working incentive shifts.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I was going to say they should get some travelers too. Wish places would learn that expecting staff to constantly work extra will only make the already short staff shorter yet due to burnout.

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Apparently they are looking into travelers at this time. Thanks

I was a traveler. Costs the facility approximately 4 times the $$ of obtaining PRN staff.

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Specializes in PCCN.

hey, or you could work where I do , and run short all the time. no travelers allowed. IMC floor- had 6 pts 3 of whic where fresh pci's.

Running "short" is the norm.

They don't care.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

Cross train some PRN staff from other departments (aren't other nurses always wanting to go to L & D and mother/baby?) and pull them in during the baby boom with incentives. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my paycheck from my per diem job, after just the minimal amount of taxes are pulled out of it. MMM, money!!!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

How much does management actually care about short staffing? Reverse bidding for shifts. I hate hate hate to work extra shifts, but I do have a price!!

Reverse bidding would likely quickly determine that there is someone else that would be willing to work for much less. And the shift would get covered. There are purely web based systems that are easily accessible. Heck, there may even be an app for that!

Reverse bidding allows nurses to bid on a needy shift and the lowest bid wins. So say nurse A (who makes $35/hr normally), bids to work for $45/hr for that unwanted Saturday shift. Nurse B (who makes $30/hr normally), bids to work that same shift for $40/hr. Nurse B gets the shift, at a nice bonus, and the hospital saves at least $5/hr. Or possibly more if they have to use their on call nurse, who happens to be topped out and now is going to make time and a half.

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