Schedule of Choice

Ryan,

I hear your frustration.  You've made valid points about nursing and laboratory recruitment.  A few thoughts:

At a minimum a staffing plan must a) get the work done and b) make sure a) happens.  "Everybody has to agree" can be a big obstacle.  But this is only true if a staffing plan is just about what hours people want to work.  If the plan is about how shifts are assigned to get the work done, it might not have to include everybody.

People are fit to a plan.  (Otherwise it isn't a plan; it's just people working when they want to work.)  That means it also has to staff the exceptions:  sick calls, holidays, vacations, et al.  What's contentious is who does what; the plan itself is somewhat arbitrary.

The "win-win" is a plan that does a) and b) and also c) gives people more control over their personal time.  But what if c) isn't part of your corporate culture?  What if it's only accepted in nursing because of a perceived permanent shortage?  That's another significant obstacle.  It's also a demoralizing message to hear if you aren't a nurse.

Have you tried mapping your lab's current schedule against 12-hour shifts to compare the number of techs per hour?  A spreadsheet can do the grunt work.  Run the numbers on Plan A vs. Plan B and see how it looks.

If your alternative staffs better, reduces cost (especially in today's economy), adds a service, or solves a particular scheduling bugbear, you might have that "win-win" in hand.

Look what flexible scheduling and 12 hour shifts did for nursing.  Aside from the outrageous pay and OT options that they get, many laud at the fact that they get the option to work flexible 12 hour shifts.  Many laboratorians would love this benefit/option to work this.  Fewer days at work, more time off and less commuting - all while still being FT.  

It isn't the fact that management isnt completely sold on this, but the old tag line, "everybody will have to agree to this"  is like instantly saying a big, "NO!".  

Many of those that are-- let's say have been set in their ways for the past 30 years..  are less agreeable to something like this than those of us who are younger and would appreciate the benefits that come from a schedule like this.  

This kind of thinking could be considered a restrictive factor in what is holding this profession back from excelling in areas of personnell recruitment.  It can be done.  I have heard of and know of only a very small handful of laboratories that have grasped this concept - and guess what -?  Their employees love it!

Everybody is always wondering what is driving our shortage?  Why work nights, every weekend  and holiday; when I can be a nurse and work 12 hour shifts, be wined and dined at graduation by numerous places willing to recruit me at my terms and on top of that, give me a ridiculously high salary?   Umm .. choice is simple (for many).

I am not promoting nursing in any way over our profession, BUT see what it has done for them...  People are on waiting lists at their schools to get in.  Nursing schools are in high demand, as opposed to fearful of closing due to low enrollment.

This can certainly be a biggie in recruitment for laboratorians .. Yeah, we still offer lousy hours and sub-par pay, but guess what..? If we were willing to offer you a position that has 12 hour shifts ... I bet more would jump at that than presently .. ?

I know I would.