Scheduling

[NICURNPAWV]

Hi all,

I know this topic has been hashed out many times but I am looking for specific information on a scheduling system that was mentioned to me by a nurse at the Magnet Conference in Atlanta in October, 2015.

My unit currently self schedules using an online program with scheduling rules in place, such as number of weekends, Friday requirements, shift etc. We are a large unit and we run with a core # of 18 nurses each shift. We have a combination of 12's and 8's with the majority of our nurses working straight 12's (7-7) and a small group that work 8's. The problem we encounter is staffing at 3pm. We have a group of senior staff that bid on and earned a 7a-3p schedule. Since that occurred newly hired nurses have had to cover the holes that happen at 3pm so they are defaulted into a rotating 8's and 12's schedule. We then have trouble retaining those nurses because they want to work 3 twelves and be done. I can definitely say that the 7-3 isn't going away so going to all 12's is not going to happen. We have discussed this and also rebidding the unit and those choices aren't an option. A nurse approached me at the conference and said her hospital uses a system that provides each nurse a full year's schedule by January 1.

She stated they combine nurses that work all 12's; all 8's and those who do both into a schedule that has developed a balance of weekends, off shifts and holidays and you end up with a predictable schedule that is done a year in advance.

This facility was obviously Magnet since the RN was at this conference. I am in need of information on a scheduling system like this.

Thank you!