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.
Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.
I feel your pain. At my first (laboratory) job, the supervisor scheduled me at will. The schedule wasn't put out until the last minute. Because I was lowest on the seniority list, I got last pick for vacations and my schedule varied weekly based on others' requests. I had a nearly impossible time trying to piece together even a semblance of a social life. Needless to say, I quit that job as soon as the remainder of my sign-on bonus was paid.
My current unit recently started a scheduling committee, of which I am a member. There are two staff members and one supervisor that are responsible for doing the scheduling, making last-minute changes as needed, and keeping records of things like time changes, floating, etc.
Every staff member was invited to vote on self-scheduling vs. rotating schedules, and almost everyone chose rotating schedules. This way, you can predict even months in advance when you will work. If we (the scheduling committee) need to ask someone to switch from a regularly scheduled day to another day because of short-staffing, we phone the person and ask them first. We know which people on the unit have school or child care arrangements, so we tend to ask the others first. Most staff members try to be flexible with their schedules because they know that this will benefit them in the future when they want vacation time.
If your supervisor asked you to help with the schedule, why not volunteer? It will benefit you as well as your colleagues. I am enjoying this work because it is so different from floor nursing and gives me a broader perspective into management issues
ICRN2008, BSN, RN
897 Posts
I feel your pain. At my first (laboratory) job, the supervisor scheduled me at will. The schedule wasn't put out until the last minute. Because I was lowest on the seniority list, I got last pick for vacations and my schedule varied weekly based on others' requests. I had a nearly impossible time trying to piece together even a semblance of a social life. Needless to say, I quit that job as soon as the remainder of my sign-on bonus was paid.
My current unit recently started a scheduling committee, of which I am a member. There are two staff members and one supervisor that are responsible for doing the scheduling, making last-minute changes as needed, and keeping records of things like time changes, floating, etc.
Every staff member was invited to vote on self-scheduling vs. rotating schedules, and almost everyone chose rotating schedules. This way, you can predict even months in advance when you will work. If we (the scheduling committee) need to ask someone to switch from a regularly scheduled day to another day because of short-staffing, we phone the person and ask them first. We know which people on the unit have school or child care arrangements, so we tend to ask the others first. Most staff members try to be flexible with their schedules because they know that this will benefit them in the future when they want vacation time.
If your supervisor asked you to help with the schedule, why not volunteer? It will benefit you as well as your colleagues. I am enjoying this work because it is so different from floor nursing and gives me a broader perspective into management issues