Scheduling has been what seems like a HUGE challenge since the day I started working at my LTC. The DON seems to take forever to get the schedule out...like putting it out on Friday afternoon (usually closer to early evening) and only being able to get a schedule out for about a week at a time. So...after numerous complaints, she has turned scheduling over to me...I am a bit more organized and I don't procrastinate nearly as much as she does...LOL.
Anyway...since the day she started, the new administrator has wanted all departments on a set two-week schedule and she informed me that I am going to make it happen for the nursing department. The nurses were pretty easy except for one nurse who wants to work eight hour shifts, wants five days a week, wants every other weekend off, wants no more than three days in a row, but also wants at least two days off at a time...LOL...not possible at all. The CNA schedule was a bit of a challenge, but I got it done so that everyone has their hours (after they made cuts), no one works more than four in a row, and everyone has every other weekend off.
Under the "new rules" if anyone wants a day off that they are normally scheduled for, they have to find their own replacement...they are being asked to schedule their appointments, etc around work instead of expecting work to schedule around them. Covering staffing during vacations and holidays is my responsibility, but any other time someone wants a scheduled day off, they have to take care of it. Most people have no problem with that and are willing to make trades or whatever, but some of the nurses and CNAs are just furious about it. (We also have five PRN people who are usually very willing to come it).
I think it will work as long as no one decides that it is NOT going to work...change is always a challenge, but a lot of other industries work on a set schedule and they somehow manage. A few have threatened to quit over it, but they are probably just threats.
Has anyone worked with a schedule like this? Any opinions?
