Staffing and Scheduling in Nursing Management

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a philosophy statement in a nursing department?

To determine the mix of professional and assistive staff needed

To guide the establishment of the overall structure of the nursing service department (correct)

To measure the degree of patient dependency on the nursing staff

To establish the level of technology in the nursing unit

What is a key factor that determines the staffing mix in a nursing unit?

The level of technology in the nursing unit

The number of beds in the unit

The severity of patient illness (correct)

The experience of the nursing staff

What is the effect of changes in service on staffing plans?

It has no impact on staffing plans

It reduces the need for professional staff

It requires adjustments to the staffing mix (correct)

It increases the need for assistive staff

What is the purpose of a staffing plan in a nursing department?

To ensure consistency between the philosophy statement and observable practice Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that affects the amount of time required to provide patient care?

The complexity of nursing care and procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the calculation of projected units of service?

The types of services to be offered Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mission of accreditation organizations?

To improve safety and quality of health care provided to the public Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for exceeding consumer expectations in healthcare?

For financial and marketing reasons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of nursing association standards?

To establish principles of safe staffing Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of organizational staffing policies?

To guide staffing decisions within an organization Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that nurse managers must consider when preparing their budgets?

Patient expectations for high-quality nursing care Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the staffing process in healthcare?

To ensure that safe and cost-effective care is provided by the appropriate level of caregiver Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of external variables in staffing plans?

To affect staffing plans and ensure quality patient care Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the total organizational personnel budget does the nursing personnel budget typically constitute?

60% to 70% Signup and view all the answers

Who plays a significant role in influencing the use of staffing resources in a healthcare setting?

Nurses' Managers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of scheduling in healthcare?

To ensure that patients receive care from the appropriate level of caregiver Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that affects staffing in a healthcare setting?

The unit activity report Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of creating a master staffing plan in a healthcare setting?

To analyze the variables that affect staffing schedules Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of personnel scheduling?

To minimize variability in the ratio of staff size to workload for each shift category Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended basis for calculating the number of permanently assigned nursing personnel for each unit?

The expected occupancy rate Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to post work schedules in advance?

To allow employees to plan their social and recreational activities around duty hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of not considering the differences between professional and non-professional employees in scheduling?

Non-professional employees may be expected to perform at a high level Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of cyclical time planning in scheduling?

To schedule all employees according to a master pattern with no exceptions Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when making staffing adjustments during emergencies?

Providing a means for making quick staffing adjustments during emergencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when using floating nurses to fill staffing vacancies?

The nurse may not have the required competencies for working on the unit. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using agency staff nurses?

High payment rates. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of using agency staff nurses?

Patient may be unable to distinguish agency staff from unit staff. Signup and view all the answers

What is the calculation to determine the total hours worked per year?

8 hours per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year. Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of increasing staff FTEs?

Reduces the need for mandatory overtime. Signup and view all the answers

What is a strategy used when a manager faces an unanticipated staff vacancy?

Asking staff members to work double shifts. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

External Variables that Affect Staffing Plans

Accreditation agencies standards (e.g. JCAHO, JCIA) require institutions to provide an adequate number of staff members with the experience and training needed to support a unit's unique patient care needs.
Nursing association standards (e.g. ANA) establish principles for professional nursing practice, including safe staffing.
Consumer expectations require high-quality nursing care, delivered promptly and efficiently by satisfied nurses.

Internal Organization Variables that Affect Staffing Plans

Organizational staffing policies and support systems impact staffing plans.
Scheduling principles aim to distribute the budget personnel appropriately, satisfy individual staff member needs, and meet the care needs of the unit.
The goal of personnel scheduling is to minimize variability in the ratio of staff size to workload for each shift category.
The number of permanently assigned nursing personnel for each unit should be calculated based on the expected occupancy rate (often 80%).
Employees are not freely interchangeable, and non-professional employees should not be expected to perform at the same level as professional employees.
Work schedules should be posted in advance to permit employees to plan their social and recreational activities around duty hours.

Scheduling Principles

Distribute the budget personnel appropriately across the day of the week and time of day.
Satisfy each individual staff member needs (although not always possible).
Be fair and balanced from the employee perspective.
Meet the care needs of the unit.

Structure and Philosophy of the Nursing Department

Staffing plans should allow consistency between the philosophy statement and the observable practice of nursing on units.
The philosophy statement guides the establishment of the overall structure of the nursing service department and the staffing model.

Staffing Mix

Staffing mix depends on the intensity of nursing care required by patients, which depends on:
Severity of patient illness.
Complexity of nursing care and procedures.
Degree of patient dependency on the nursing staff.
Amount of time required to provide patient care.
Level of technology in the nursing unit.

Changes in Service and Projected Units of Service

Changes in service that will be offered, such as plans to expand existing clinical services or develop new services or programs.
Projected units of service.

Strategies for Adding Supplemental Staff to the Unit

Increasing staff FTEs (e.g. 40 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = 2,080 hours).
Floating staff (also known as flex staff) from clinical unit to another to fill staffing vacancies.
Using agency staff.
Mandatory overtime.

Floating Staff

Floating nurses from clinical unit to another to fill staffing vacancies.
Requires experienced nurses with competencies to work on the unit to which they are assigned.
Potential drawbacks: floating nurses may not have the required competencies, and anxiety levels may increase, leading to errors.

Agency Staff

Nurses who are hired as independent contractors for shifts, weeks, or longer periods through agencies.
Advantages: high payment rates, diversity in work environment, exposure to a variety of work teams, and ability to travel.
Disadvantages: patients may be unable to distinguish agency staff from unit staff, and potential regulatory issues.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the key concepts of staffing and scheduling in nursing management, including the purpose of staffing, definitions, and factors affecting staffing. It also explores scheduling principles, variables, and strategies for adding supplemental staff.