staffing requirement..is this common practice?

[studentRN1218]

Hi all,

I needed a shift off and found a replacement who is willing to work the shift for me. However, my manager didn't approve it as "the minimum staff requirement hasn't been met that shift" (aka they needed nurses for that shift and no one else signed up). Therefore, both me and the replacement i found will be working even though i got her to cover the shift for me. Just wondering if this is common practice as it's confusing that not only I am responsible to find my own coverage but also staffing? Is this common practice elsewhere? I just find that this has been happening a lot to me where I am still required to work even though successfully finding people to switch.

Thanks

RN121

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

What state? I think only CA has staffing minimums

Just because there's no law mandating staffing, doesn't mean hospital policy, or even unit policy, doesn't dictate what acceptable staffing is for that unit.

To to answer the original question, an even swap is always approved at my job, where you work someone's shift and they work yours.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

What state? I think only CA has staffing minimums

Just because there's no law mandating staffing, doesn't mean hospital policy, or even unit policy, doesn't dictate what acceptable staffing is for that unit.

To to answer the original question, an even swap is always approved at my job, where you work someone's shift and they work yours- provided you don't have a unique skill set the other person can't cover, ie, being charge nurse that shift.