Creative Staffing Solutions for PACU

Our PACU splits it into 8 hour shifts and posts a calander for everyone to self schedule their shifts. It works very well for us. Everyone is required to take atleast 2 shifts, but some take as many as 15. A lot of nurses have specific shifts that they like to take, the other like to fill in the empty spots. Occasionaly those of us who prefer to avoid weekend call have to take a few shifts but its not that often.

It is split 1600-2300, 2300-0800 during the week. 0700-1530, 1530-2300, 2300-0700 on weekends.

Hopefully that was coherent, i'm half asleep. :)

Also, forgot to add, we have several ICU/ER nurses that have oriented to PACU who take call in addition to our regular staff.

Let me just clarify- even though it is required everyone take two shifts- some people do not have to b/c other people have already self scheduled themselves for all the weekend slots? Very interesting and a great solution. Thank you!

Let me just clarify- even though it is required everyone take two shifts- some people do not have to b/c other people have already self scheduled themselves for all the weekend slots? Very interesting and a great solution. Thank you!

Exaclty. There are people who LOVE call and want to get as much as they can so our full time people rarely have to take more than 2 shifts, if that.

Ours is similar. Everyone gets assigned weekend call once a month. There is a notebook with a list of calls that people are willing to give up. Anyone can take it if they want. Some people pick up a lot. Some people end up not having to do any.