Held Hostage By The Schedule!

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I work in a 99-bed SNF, and our schedules are posted in 4-week periods. There is no set pattern to the schedule (except that I always work 2nd shift.) Days off vary from week to week in a generally unpredictable manner, except that each nurse has one weekend off per 4-week period.

The issue I am having is that the new schedule is not posted until a few days before the current schedule ends. For example, the week ends on Saturday, and the new schedule is not posted until Tuesday or Wednesday. This makes it nearly impossible to schedule doctor's appts., social activities, etc., since I have no idea when I will be working for the next month. If I know a few weeks in advance, I can request the day off, but otherwise I feel like I am "held hostage" by the schedule. This issue affects all nurses and CNAs.

Others have voiced their opinions about this in the past, and for a few months they actually did put the schedule out earlier, but it didn't last long. I wrote a note to the DON asking if the schedule could come out earlier, explaining that it is hard to make plans when you have no idea when you are working. I wrote that the issue affects all nursing department employees, and that everyone would appreciate it if the issue could be resolved. She wrote me back: "Thanks for the reminder. Maybe next time you could help do the schedule."

What I can't figure out is that nursing homes in general usually have staffing issues, but in every other facility I have worked, they were always able to post a schedule a few weeks in advance. Who does the scheduling where you work, and when does it come out? Any suggestions? Thanks.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I certainly understand. Our boss solved the problem by appointing a committee and the committee made up some basic ground rules. There were volunteers to represent each staffing section (aides, clerks, nurses) and from each shift.

Our schedule comes out a week in advance, but before that is what they call the "Planning Sheet." In other words, you mark in pencil the days you need to take off, up to two requests per month. More than that, you need to get a vacation request cleared by the boss.

It's working very well so far and we usually get all the days we need.

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Specializes in peds/gyn/pp overflow/gastro.

our nurse manager picks a day and posts "Last day to turn in schedule reqests is (date)". we turn in what days we need off for the next month, she marks those days off and works your 3 days around that. some of us have other requests...mine is to have every thursday off. if i ask for a request other than that for the week i understand that i may not get the thursday off that week. rarely have i not gotten the days off that i requested and when it was not possible i just did a trade w/ someone and got it off anyway.

it helps when your having a bad day. i just think "i like everyone i work with, i like what i do and my boss really works w/ us on the schedule." i have been there almost 3 years and don't plan on leaving for all those reasons. i have 3 kids and am able to work my schedule around my familly life.

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we have a set rotation, and "need" shifts are at the bottom, we are given the opportunity to pencil them in if we want them, if no one does, the casual staff are asked to work them. If none of them will take them, they go through the list for OT and request all the staff again. Usually the schedule is posted month by month, but sometimes OT is sprung at the last moment, for example double shifts and 12's. What frustrates me about that is that they often know about it for a week or more, but don't tell us we will be stuck there. We can't leave because we are the only RN.

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Our schedule is done the same way as op, We have a staffing coordinator that makes the schedule, handles call ins and disciplinary actions. SHe has not posted our schedule for April yet. She called me into her office yesterday and said she needs to find me a way to get a day off. She has me scheduled 16 days in a row! That isn't counting all the times I get a call to come in and cover a shift, and I always do it. I agree that a set date for everything should be in place. The schedule should be posted at least a week in advance. I wish I knew the answer to solve this problem too...:bowingpur

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health.

What Do You Do With Staff That Wants Every Holiday Off, This Includes Spring Break, Easter, Flag Day, Etc. I Know Everyone Wants Off With Their Children , But Where Does This Leave Your Patients. Every Nurse When I Started Out Wanted Off, I Worked Because I Was Told I Did Not Have Children, Now These Nurses Are Gone ( When Their Children Grew Up) And I Realized I Did Not Take Time To Be With My Family ( My Dad Died--then I Started Taking My Time).

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I work in a 99-bed SNF, and our schedules are posted in 4-week periods. There is no set pattern to the schedule (except that I always work 2nd shift.) Days off vary from week to week in a generally unpredictable manner, except that each nurse has one weekend off per 4-week period.

Thanks.

I worked at a facility like that-(past tense-that was why I left) Every other facility I have ever worked in used regular rotations.I am full time,work every other weekend and am off every other Monday and Thursday.I can plan ahead for years if I need to do so...It's great.AND-our new schdule is posted by the 5th week of the current one-if you put in any requests you'll be notified right away if they can't be met.

I'd be out of there fast.Sheesh-you can't schedule a PAP or a dental less then 6 months in advance around here...

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.
"Thanks for the reminder. Maybe next time you could help do the schedule."

That's actually a pretty good idea. I have no experience making up a schedule, but I imagine it's a real pain in the neck.

I know someone who worked in a clinic with a scheduling problem, and the manager let the staff work out the schedule. It was an excellent solution for them. No more gripes about days off, plus they had some insight into how complicated it can be.

I feel you though. My boss does the same thing - the schedule is always posted at the last minute. I put up with it because I love my boss and you know that good bosses are hard to find. But I deal with it by requesting days off in advance. I schedule my appointments 2 or 3 weeks in advance then turn in a request for time off. Our clinic grants them on a first-come, first-served basis. So I turn them in early so I am pretty much guaranteed to get the time off.

I don't know if that would work for you. I hope you find a workable solution.

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I feel for you. We have the same situation where I am. Unfortunately most of the scheduling has to do with if you have came in extra and been a team player(HaHa!). If you haven't been a team player you can go from working a full time schedule to maybe 3-6 days in 2 weeks. I have worked in places where your schedule was posted for a month at a time and you had until the 25th of the previous month to make your requests off. Of course you could trade shifts in a pinch because everybody seemed to work together with a few exceptions. A lot depends on your manager or DON.

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I work in a 99-bed SNF, and our schedules are posted in 4-week periods. There is no set pattern to the schedule (except that I always work 2nd shift.) Days off vary from week to week in a generally unpredictable manner, except that each nurse has one weekend off per 4-week period.

The issue I am having is that the new schedule is not posted until a few days before the current schedule ends. For example, the week ends on Saturday, and the new schedule is not posted until Tuesday or Wednesday. This makes it nearly impossible to schedule doctor's appts., social activities, etc., since I have no idea when I will be working for the next month. If I know a few weeks in advance, I can request the day off, but otherwise I feel like I am "held hostage" by the schedule. This issue affects all nurses and CNAs.

Others have voiced their opinions about this in the past, and for a few months they actually did put the schedule out earlier, but it didn't last long. I wrote a note to the DON asking if the schedule could come out earlier, explaining that it is hard to make plans when you have no idea when you are working. I wrote that the issue affects all nursing department employees, and that everyone would appreciate it if the issue could be resolved. She wrote me back: "Thanks for the reminder. Maybe next time you could help do the schedule."

What I can't figure out is that nursing homes in general usually have staffing issues, but in every other facility I have worked, they were always able to post a schedule a few weeks in advance. Who does the scheduling where you work, and when does it come out? Any suggestions? Thanks.

You should grab the opportunity to help do the schedule. She might have been being sarcastic but grab the chance to make the schedule. If nothing else, you can know your own schedule early, maybe even make your own. do it today.

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Our schedule is done the same way as op, We have a staffing coordinator that makes the schedule, handles call ins and disciplinary actions. SHe has not posted our schedule for April yet. She called me into her office yesterday and said she needs to find me a way to get a day off. She has me scheduled 16 days in a row! That isn't counting all the times I get a call to come in and cover a shift, and I always do it. I agree that a set date for everything should be in place. The schedule should be posted at least a week in advance. I wish I knew the answer to solve this problem too...:bowingpur

Why do you let her work you 16 days in a row? You should check with your state's labor board or some employment lawyers and see if you are due overtime after 40 hours per week and/or over 8 hours per day.

Here it is only 4 days before April 1 and you still don't know your April schedule. She sounds pretty inept.

Some places have good luck allowing staff scheduling themselves.

Doesn't your staffing person know how to get people onto regular, repeating schedules? You must enjoy your job to stay and put up with such as you've described.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

i would recommend talking to the don and suggesting a committee of some sort. i spent a very l---o----n----g year as a don of a 120 bed snf, and staffing was my worst nightmare!! :banghead:

it took forever to do, and with constant interuptions, i, too, never had it out in a timely fashion. with more people and maybe some new software, it could get better for you.:twocents:

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