Scheduling conflicts

[JackFrostRN]

Hey all, first time post here. Great forum! Anyways, I have recently entered a quasi-managerial role in the unit i work at, and one of my new responsibilities is to help creating the monthly schedule for the staff. In my short time with this new role it is already becoming a bit of a headache. I was hoping some of you can provide input on how your department works as far as scheduling. Here are some questions I have:

1. Does your department do self-scheduling? Or does the manager pick everyone's schedule?

2. What kinds of requirements does your department have? For instance, ours requires nurses to work 4 weekend days per schedule, and alternating holidays.

3. Our department uses a spreadsheet for the schedule, and the nurses come around and write in their requests. Once approved, the schedule is photocopied and distributed. Does your facility do something different?

4. In general, are your requests granted? Or does everyone's days get moved around a lot?

5. How does the staff perceive the whole scheduling process? Any tips for the manager who approves the schedule?

Thanks for any input you can offer.

[JackFrostRN]

Our hospital uses electronic self-scheduling. Several months ago I assumed the responsibility of managing the schedule. There is a 1 week sign-up period during which staff fill out their schedule. Prior to the sign-up period, they electronically submit all vacation requests as well as time off. The requests are then reviewed and approved or denied. We only allow 2 persons to be off at a time.

Par levels for staff are set by the computer to balance staffing for each shift. Most of our night staff have chosen to have an automatic recurring schedule that works for them and the unit. If they do not have the required number of hours or weekend shifts the computer will not complete and save their schedule.

After sign-up is completed, I review and determine if any manual shifting of staff needs to occur for skill mix, etc. to cover holidays or simply because we are short-staffed. Days that require a call shift or additional staff are posted for PRN's and staff completion.

Holidays are team rotation, but we are in the process of exploring other options for holidays and low census rotation. We are open to exploring creative ideas for staffing and scheduling that would increase staff satisfaction.

What electronic service do you use? Is it in-house or a third party company?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

We used to do self-scheduling. A blank spreadsheet would be printed and we had to pencil in our days we wanted to work and the days we wanted off. We're required to work at least four weekend shifts/month. We were given a time frame of when we were supposed to pencil in our days and then management would review and approve the schedule.

That's what we do: self-scheduling. Management hopes that we work out any scheduling conflicts among ourselves, but if that's not possible they'll resolve it for us, usually ruling in favor of those with seniority. Holidays used to be self-scheduling but they changed it to a fixed schedule: staff are divided into two teams and assigned to certain holidays each year--with the holidays changing each year.

Time off requests usually not a problem if requested early enough.

[kmarie724]

We have a set schedule that is a 6 weeks block. I like it because I can figure out my schedule months in advance if I want to plan something. We are required to work every other holiday and if it's your holiday to work, you have to work it even if it falls on a day that would normally be your holiday off. Time off requests are on a first come, first serve basis.