How do you do scheduling?

[nilbit]

Hey all, trying to come up with a better scheduling solution here. Just wanted to ask:

- How does your department handle nurses schedules? Is it self-scheduling?

- Is this done on paper or online?

- What rules are in place for your staff (i.e. weekends, holidays, etc)?

- How long does it take you (or your manager) to complete the schedule?

We are struggling with how much of a hassle it is and how much time it takes to finalize each schedule. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[I<3H2O, BSN, RN]

it kind of depends on your department. Are you talking about your monthly(weekly, whatever) schedule? When I did the scheduling for a med surg unit, I asked the staff if anyone wanted a set schedule. If someone wanted a set schedule then they HAD to work 6 weekend days in a 6 week schedule. They could choose, every saturday, every sunday, or all weekend every other weekend. I found that more people wanted a set schedule than not. So, I filled in the set schedule folks first and then peppered in the other employees. The employees who did not want a set schedule had to work weekends too but they had to work fewer b/c they were willing to work wherever they were needed. :)

edited to add, I work in a very small area now and scheduling is done online (as I voted) and we are scheduled as needed...very little say.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Each unit is different. We have 110 nurses on staff. We work a bunch of different shifts. We submit a four week block of time to our schedulers (we have 3 schedulers who work on the time). Some of our rules:

1. Everyone schedules one full weekend and one split per schedule. You can be placed on 4 weekend days if needed.

2. 2 Fridays and 1 Monday.

3. You are allowed 4 needed requests. If multiple people ask for

The same day, it goes by seniority.

4. We pick our holidays by 1st 2nd and 3rd choice for summer and winter. Goes by seniority on your shift. Senior people >25 years only work one holiday of their choice.

Of course your schedule can change per unit needs. They also give us a heads up if the need to move weekends or rotate us.

[nilbit]

Thank you for your input!

H2O - I like that idea of asking staff who wants a set schedule, and to pepper in everyone else. Where online are you doing the scheduling? Any idea the cost?

NicuGal - We have very similar rules, but perhaps need some that are more concrete. Is your schedule online as well?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

No, we have a template we print and give to one of the schedulers when it is due. Any requests outside of Our guidelines goes to the UM before we give it to them. If you don't go By the guidelines then your request is null and void. It only happens once and people abide by the rules.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Our staff nurses and techs utilize a self-scheduling system that is computer-based and online. We also have a full-time staffing coordinator who moves staff around from shifts that have been overscheduled to ones that are in need of staff.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I do both. What I have done..... I allowed the staff to self schedule on paper and online. We had certain staff that had fixed schedules that were filled in first. I would give the staff a finite time period to fill in their schedule with time off requests. Schedule obligations must be fulfilled like weekend and holiday rotations first. No OT. They were responsible to get it in by a certain time or I made the schedule and I don't take requests...I fill slots. (Actually I do...but not when they can't negotiate themselves) I've had to do this once or twice...they learned to act like adults and negotiate their schedules. I once had a staff that would staff an entire holiday in 4 hour shifts at Christmas...I miss those guys.

I'm computer literate so I made my own spread sheet/blank schedule. It worked 98% of the time. But scheduling is a time consuming endeavor no matter how you do it...it just sucks up time...