Per diem RN's and scheduling in specialty area

[nursestacey62]

I work in a specialty procedural area at a fairly large hospital. We have about five full-time RN's and the same number of per diem RN's. The per diem RN's are allowed to cancel themselves off the schedule with only 24 hours notice. The are also allowed to take three to six-week vacations. The full-time RN's are being denied time off because the per diems can cancel themselves at any time. The full-time RN's are having a hard time scheduling vacations because they are not approved far enough in advance to buy airline tickets at a decent price and sometimes their vacation request is denied with only a week's notice. Because it is a specialty area, we cannot use float-pool RN's to cover time off. How has this problem been handled in other hospitals?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Typical rookie (manager) mistake. It doesn't make any sense to cater to the needs of staff who have the least commitment to the job. Full-timers are core staff - they need to be given highest priority & 'first pick' for all scheduling needs.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of managers have never actually been taught how to staff and schedule. They 'learn' on the job or simply apply the methods that they have been exposed to when they were a staff nurse. This leads to lots of unhappiness & conflict.... and entire shifts staffed only with newbies or 'casual' nurses - or heaven forbid, contract(PRN) nurses acting as the Charge Nurse .... YIKES!!

In my organization, many special procedure departments function with self scheduling - based on very firm guidelines to prevent it from morphing into "Selfish Scheduling". e.g. only one staff person 'off' at a time, switching shifts cannot incur overtime, etc. There also has to be an equitable method for allocating time off that prevents anyone from jumping in first and gobbling up all the vacation time before anyone else has a chance. Some have also converted everyone to 'salaried' status, in order to facilitate greater flexibility for responding to unscheduled absences (sick time).

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

The per diems need to be told that when they agree to a shift and the schedule is posted that they are committed to it..PERIOD! If they want it or need it off they have the options any staff member does..they call in sick or they get replacement staff that is equally qualified. Your current sustem can set up animosity between the FT people and the PD people and can make for a stressful work environment. Your FT staff is being treated unfairly as you have a right to use your paid time off and get a earned vacation break!

[kiszi, RN]

I agree with pp. I work PRN and once I have committed to work a day, I am put on the schedule and I am expected to work like anyone else on the schedule. If I cannot work that day it is a call off.

I would be peeved, too! Maybe the full timers could approach management with solutions together. Sounds like a ridiculous way to do things.

[nursestacey62]

I've been told that my manager's boss has been approached about this problem and she said that this is the way it's always been. If I accrue PTO, I should be able to use it!

[ceccia]

I agree with pp. I work PRN and once I have committed to work a day, I am put on the schedule and I am expected to work like anyone else on the schedule.

same here. whilethere is no actual punishment for calling out, i have to assume they would be less than impressed if i did that more than once, and frequent call outs would prob get me on the bottom of the call-in list when they had work available.

[Fiona59]

I thought you worked on my unit for a minute!

Our Manager treats our casuals like gold. Gives them first pick at extra shifts not our part timers. Let's them basically do what they want to scheduling. They want all the weekday day shifts and none of the others. We have several that state "no same day calls" so if regular staff call in sick, the unit is screwed.

They seem to forget that being casual doesn't guarantee them a wage or the shifts of choice.

Management needs to grow a backbone but won't

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

"That is the way it has always been",is just an ignorant and lazy response especially since this system is NOT working. The full timers all need to request a meeting and express your concerns with this unfair policy and also bring the solution. Any good manager should know that you will get hard work and dedicated employees if it is a two way street...the employer meets your needs and you meet theirs. DO not give up this fight until they change this as it impacts the quality of your life!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Make sure you have someone from HR at the meeting

[Bezoars]

I am a per diem RN. We have float pool per diem RN's and unit-based per diems as well. Per diem's here are at the bottom of the food chain. We have several pay levels of per diem and different hours and days required for each. The higher the pay, the more weekend shifts and holidays you have to pick up. The floors do their entire schedule and then send to us to sign up for what is left over. We are the first to be called off and once we sign up for our schedule (one month in advance)... we are committed. No changes. The only recourse we have is to find a replacement or call off.