Implementation Recommendations for the Nurse Scheduling Problem

Abstract

Nurse scheduling is an important subject for which manager nurses spend many time every month and but nurses are often dissatisfied. In this study, implementation recommendations for two nursing scheduling methods that are used by manager nurses are presented. The first method is a nurse scheduling method based on monthly working hours. This method should be preferred in the units where the nursing teams are large and the number of nurses per shift is the same. In this method, nursing scheduling is planned by determining monthly working hours, working shifts, number of nurses in each shift and number of nurses that should work in the clinic. In this study, the calculations in each step are explained. The second method is the roster method which is commonly used in most hospitals. Recommendations that will standardize the steps of this method and facilitate the implementation of the method are included. The examples presented in the study may be a useful guide in preparing the work scheduling of nurses. It can provide a balanced distribution of workload. It can help manager nurses to focus more on their other responsibilities by reducing the time they will spend on scheduling.

Keywords

• nurse
• nurse scheduling
• work scheduling
• duty rosters