Question

You are the manager of a medical-surgical unit. The unit has 32 beds and an occupancy rate of 75%. The desired staffing mix consists of four RNs, two LPNs/LVNs, and two nursing assistants on the 7 Am to 3 pm shift; three RNs, one LPN/LVN, and two nursing assistants on the 3 pm to 11 pm shift; and two RNs, one LPN/LVN, and one nursing assistant on the 11 pm to 7 am shift. Using the formula from Chapter 12 pg. 223-224 (Leading and Managing in Nursing - E-Book (6th Edition)), determine how many FTEs of each category of employees will be necessary to cover the staffing expectations. Remember, this division will operate 24 hours every day, including weekends and holidays.

Answer 1

Staffing pattern formula

In this case, 32 beds with 75% occupancy means

32*75/100 = 24 beds are occupied

Hours per shift = 8 hours

1) Formula = census *5/hours per shift = # of nursing personal

5 is a constant

In this case,

24*5/8 = 15 nursing personal

2) Formula = nursing personal * 40/100 = # of nurses/shift

Here 40 is constant

15*40/100 = 6

6/3 = 2 nuses shift

3) Formula = nursing personal/5 = ratio of nurses is to patient

15/5 = 3

ratio = 1:3

4) Formula =nursing personal * 60/100 = # of nursing attentant/shift

Here 60 is constant

15*60/100 = 9

9/3 =3 nursing attentants/ shift