Regular Full-time - Vacation Relief - How does it work?

loriangel14, RN · Nov 24, 2011

It's called that because you are covering for people that are on vacation.

breech · Nov 24, 2011

well, i don't think so. I already have my fixed work schedule for next year.

Doesn't really makes sense to me why is it called vacation relief. It's not even a casual position which usually you cover sick calls and leaves.

itsmejuli · Nov 24, 2011

Did you ask your manager?

loriangel14, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Oh ok. That's what it is where I work.

Fiona59 · Nov 24, 2011

It's called that because you are covering for people that are on vacation.

We call it "permanent float staff". They know which shifts they will be working, only they don't know which unit.

loriangel14, RN · Nov 25, 2011

Oh yeah we have that. It's called CNT (clinical nursing team).

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 25, 2011

Actually, it's not the same thing as float staff. The various units have a specific number of FTEs in their roster based on the precise number of bodies it takes to staff the beds, assuming that each person works exactly the number of hours allotted to them over a full year. It's based on a complex formula that takes into consideration nurse-to-patient ratios, number of beds, length of a standard shift, average census, and a few other factors. BUT - there's no allowance in this staffing model for contractual obligations such as vacations and stats. So the employer will permit the hiring of a given number of "extra" staff that they call vacation relief to cover those hours. These positions are regular ones, with a fixed schedule and they usually work out very well.