Help with Staffing Incentives?

[tfloyd]

Hi, I am responsible for coming up with staffing programs to help cover multiple units that are currently short staffed. Can anyone share with me incentive programs they have seen work for nurses to cover 6 week or 12 week schedules? We currently offer last minute bonus pay shifts but I am looking for something that gets nurses to proactively schedule themselves to avoid last minute begging. One example: Commit to one 12-hr OT shift each week for 6 or 12 weeks, each OT shifts is time and a half plus $10/hr., etc.

PS. I can't change leadership practices. ? Just looking for unique staffing incentives. Thanks in advance for sharing!

[JKL33]

5 hours ago, Crash_Cart said:

Employees are not always motivated using money. Studies show they often prefer things of intrinsic value instead.

[...]

Even those who make that claim are not talking about the kind of things you mention.

41 minutes ago, Rionoir said:

I’ve done a research study on retention and money is not even in the top several things that keeps employees happy and loyal.

My answer: It's the #1 or #2 thing. Respect/regard, and money. Pick your order.

[Crash_Cart]

1 hour ago, FolksBtrippin said:

Cite your research.

Quote

The study found that between 40 and 70% of a participant's preferred award experience was determined by non-award presentation factors such as who gives the award, how it's communicated, and what professional impact it carries.

More than 450 individuals were queried in-depth on more than 80 non-cash award types to determine their preferred kinds of travel, merchandise, gift card incentives and perks. The data collected produced each participant's most and least desired total reward experience.

Source: https://www.hrdive.com/news/cash-isnt-king-employees-prefer-rewards-that-arent-money-study-says/406275/

Also seems to be plenty of publications examining the subject such as this one. ?

https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Design-Neuroscience-High-Performance-Cultures/dp/1946633062/?&tag=businessnewsdaily-20

I know one company that provides employees with an all inclusive cruise ship vacation package as an incentive.

[beekee]

Where I work, we are extremely short staffed. They have offered money galore and pumped up the flex team, but we are just plain tired. We have sky high acuity and low levels of staffing. At a certain point, money and a free coffee mug ain’t going to cut it because we are exhausted, defeated and need a break. Try some agency nurses.

Oh, and I so don’t want anything with my employers name on it. Especially not a coffee cup or water bottle. Maybe a scrub jacket I’d take, I suppose.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

5 hours ago, Crash_Cart said:

I know one company that provides employees with an all inclusive cruise ship vacation package as an incentive.

I have to ask... do the employees get to take their cruise when they choose to, without getting their vacation time denied?

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

6 hours ago, Crash_Cart said:

Source: https://www.hrdive.com/news/cash-isnt-king-employees-prefer-rewards-that-arent-money-study-says/406275/

Also seems to be plenty of publications examining the subject such as this one. ?

https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Design-Neuroscience-High-Performance-Cultures/dp/1946633062/?&tag=businessnewsdaily-20

I know one company that provides employees with an all inclusive cruise ship vacation package as an incentive.

Okay, this does not suggest that employees prefer non cash to cash awards, but that the total award experience matters, including who gives the award and how it is presented. That makes sense.

Folks want to be recognized in ways other than cash. A presentation, certificate, etc. That doesn't mean they prefer to get items in lieu of cash.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Quote

One example: Commit to one 12-hr OT shift each week for 6 or 12 weeks, each OT shifts is time and a half plus $10/hr., etc

How about incentivize EVERY extra shift? I mean I work an average of 30 hours a week... many of us work 36. I would appreciate a verbal thanks if I pick up a princess shift... but there is no way in hades I would commit an extra 12 hours every single week, for $720 PRE-TAX beyond what the FLSA guarantees me. For double time every 12 hour shift I might consider a short term commitment...but still if you NEED to incentivize, every nurse should get something for every shift. Not only for a six week weekly commitment.... which to be honest sounds like a dangerous amount of OT anyway. (48 hours a week for six weeks?)

Otherwise I’m going to say, get more agency staff. That’s why staffing agencies exist.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

9 hours ago, FolksBtrippin said:

Why would I care more about stuff I can buy with money than actual money?

Right.... I don’t know who they asked for those studies, but let’s see... a free jacket, or extra money to feed my headscarf/maxi skirt/freshwater pearl addictions? Voucher for hospital caf food, or money to pick up Thai on my way home?

Hmmmmmm...

[beekee]

I once got a generic certificate that didn’t even specify what I did and another water bottle. The kicker? I had to walk far, far away on my own time (office wasn’t even open when I was at work) to pick up this cheesy certificate and my 87th cheap water bottle. Trust me, this “incentive” merely made me super annoyed. I certainly did not feel valued or respected.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I personally would be pretty incentivized if I got to go on a cruise or a trip to Mexico or NYC at the end of six weeks. I worked somewhere once that bought a car and everyone who worked extra shifts got their name entered in a drawing for the car for each shift they worked. That one worked very well. Made the techs pretty mad though. Other potentials - season tickets to the theater or local pro sports team. An electronics package - desktop, printer, tablet, TV or something. One time bonus of $5K, paid after working the last committed shift. Season tickets to local amusement parks.

For me, travel or cold hard cash works.

[javadown2, BSN]

Show me the Money! And give incentives to nurses who stick around, give vacation incentives(extra time off for OT hours). I don't care about awards and kudos, just give monetary incentives or selective scheduling, make it easier on the staff who do stay and are on time. Don't reward for bad behaviors.

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

Student Loan Assistance, Membership for a year to Amazon Prime or something similar, Maid and or childcare services to help nurses at home.

[Sour Lemon]

Money is a great incentive ...the best one, but it's also important to know that the unit will be well-staffed if I agree to come in. If you're paying me extra, but I know I'll be struggling all night, it's not worth it.