Scheduling that isn't self-scheduling

[haunani, BSN, RN]

First off, I know the best way to get an answer to this is to contact the hospital directly, but I'm impatient and want answers while I work on a list of questions to ask them.

I'm looking to relocate in a few years and am in touch with a few of the hospitals out in the area we plan to move to. One of them stated that they don't do self-scheduling. I've only ever worked in a hospital that does, so I'm curious how schedules are done if it isn't self-scheduling.

So, if your hospital doesn't do self-scheduling, how is it done?

[Sour Lemon]

You let them know what days you can work and they say OK ...then they schedule you for the exact opposite. If you complain, they tell you they will "try to fix it and get back to you". Then, you never hear from them again.

You're welcome!

[TriciaJ, RN]

You let them know what days you can work and they say OK ...then they schedule you for the exact opposite. If you complain, they tell you they will "try to fix it and get back to you". Then, you never hear from them again.

You're welcome!

Yup. Pretty much.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

In addition to what Sour Lemon said....

Only certain units at my hospital self schedule. Previously, I worked 8s and was assigned a pattern. For example: 6 on, 1 off, 3 on, 4 off. (Approximately). This allows everyone to work every other weekend and supposedly divides up the holidays regularly. Everyone has different patterns, and some are *much* better than others.

My hospital does straight days, evenings, or nights. We do not rotate shifts. I have heard this is not the case in other locations.

as far as staffing issues similar to what the previous poster noted: don't even get me started.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

First off, I know the best way to get an answer to this is to contact the hospital directly, but I'm impatient and want answers while I work on a list of questions to ask them.

I'm looking to relocate in a few years and am in touch with a few of the hospitals out in the area we plan to move to. One of them stated that they don't do self-scheduling. I've only ever worked in a hospital that does, so I'm curious how schedules are done if it isn't self-scheduling.

So, if your hospital doesn't do self-scheduling, how is it done?

One thing to ask in your interview is how the schedule is done. Sometimes it's one person, whether it's the manager, assistant manager and a staff nurse who has volunteered to do it. Ask how requests off and vacations are handled. Self scheduling is a relatively new idea (OK, last 15 years or so) and prior to self scheduling, I never had a whole lot of complaints about my schedule.

Some hospitals advertise that they do self scheduling, but don't actually. You put in what you want for a schedule and then someone switches you around until they achieve a "balanced schedule" and they work the best shifts with all their friends. It pays to ask exactly what they mean by self scheduling, and exactly how it works if they don't self schedule.