Today I spent the day learning how a low patient census can affect nurse scheduling, lead to budget constraints and overall frustration for management. When I met LB (or LH, it's actually L H-B) she explained to me how she feels frustrated when cutting back on staff becomes necessary when the census is low. However, she offered me some great tips for if I am ever in the position to make cut-back decisions. LH explained that she actually rarely has to make someone go home since she offers to everyone the chance to first take the day off.
Each Wednesday she holds a "Communication Meeting" between shift times, (from 2-2:30 or 3:00) and takes the opportunity to discuss with staff what is going on in the facility, including the residents' and employee announcements. Today, she informed the staff that it would be necessary for her to ask people to please take this opportunity to take a day off. I must admit, I was very impressed of the positive attitude the staff demonstrated and a few vocalized that they wouldn't mind taking their turn first. LH assured them that there would not be layoffs of any kind, and that she only needed to cut back on hours by one nurse staff member and one CNA staff member on each shift for now. She then explained there were several residents who were recently admitted to the hospital, but would be returning soon, and this seemed to reassure them. I would hate to handle a layoff type situation as a manager. Knowing that many of these employees barely make ends meet as it is would make this a chore no one would want.
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