Letter: Nursing shortage may be alleviated with creativity

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 | 9:22 a.m.

The shortage of nursing personnel in Nevada hospitals can and should be looked at with a more analytical approach. Years ago, in several large Chicago-area hospitals, I did staffing. At that time, all personnel worked regular schedules -- eight hours a day, five days a week. Rotating weekends off, we utilized nursing assistants, aides, orderlies and the registry staff.

Today, those in the nursing profession are getting burned out with 10- to 12-hour shifts. Granted, the three days off are nice, but who is it that suffers too? The patients!

The use of registry staff was a godsend. Expensive, some would say, but the hospitals then do not pay the benefits either. Utilizing the registry, or float staff that could function in many capacities, was a complement to regular staff. We knew in advance what shifts they could work. Why do so many prefer home health care? The hours!

At Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in the mid-1970s, we were using a trial staffing computer that assessed shift needs on a daily basis, from data provided from the unit coordinators. These needs, and the cyclical staffing we implemented, gave a more accurate view of patient care and personnel needs. Maybe it is time to re-evaluate the hours nursing staff work. For each full-timer, one-half person is needed for illness, vacations, etc.

There has to be a closer look at the wealth of nursing professionals and the best ways to utilize them.

VICKI HILDEN