You are making a staffing assignment knowing that you are short-staffed. You have five registered nurses (RNs), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and two nursing assistants. Those nine employees need to provide a 12-hour shift of services to 30 clients with a high acuity required to a ratio of nurse to client at 1:3. You will use the acuity-based staffing model to develop the staffing assignment based on the needs of the clients. You will use the created template.
Staffing is a critical aspect of healthcare management, particularly in settings where there is a scarcity of staff. In the given scenario, we are faced with the challenge of creating a staffing assignment for a team consisting of five registered nurses (RNs), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and two nursing assistants. These nine employees are responsible for providing 12 hours of care to a total of 30 clients. It is important to note that the acuity of the clients is high, necessitating a nurse:client ratio of 1:3. To facilitate this process, an acuity-based staffing model will be employed, and a template will be utilized for the purpose of organizing the staffing assignment.
The acuity-based staffing model is a systematic approach wherein the level of care required by the clients is taken into consideration when determining the appropriate staffing levels. This model ensures that the needs of the clients are met effectively, and resources are utilized optimally. In this case, the high acuity of the clients suggests that they require a greater level of care and attention, which necessitates a lower nurse-to-client ratio. This model allows for more personalized care, enhances patient safety, and improves overall healthcare outcomes.
To develop the staffing assignment, the first step is to analyze the number of clients and the desired nurse-to-client ratio. In this scenario, there are 30 clients and a desired ratio of 1 nurse to 3 clients. Based on this information, a total of 10 nurses would be required to meet the desired ratio (30 clients ÷ 3 clients per nurse = 10 nurses). However, we have only five RNs, two LPNs, and two nursing assistants available, totaling nine employees. Consequently, we will need to adapt the assignment accordingly to maximize the available resources and ensure quality care.
Next, the template will be used to organize the staffing assignment. The template serves as a tool for allocating staff members to specific clients and shifts, taking into consideration their roles and competencies. As stated previously, the team consists of five RNs, two LPNs, and two nursing assistants.
Given the high acuity of the clients, the RNs, with their advanced knowledge and skills, would be best suited to provide comprehensive care and manage complex cases. Hence, it is essential to assign the RNs to clients with the highest acuity levels. The LPNs, despite having a slightly lower level of training, can still provide a significant amount of care to clients with less acute needs. The nursing assistants, while not having the same level of training as the RNs and LPNs, can assist with tasks such as bathing, feeding, and vital sign measurements, thereby providing valuable support to the nursing team.
In utilizing the template, it would be wise to assign the five RNs to clients who require the most intensive care due to their high acuity levels. This ensures that these clients receive the necessary attention and expertise. The two LPNs can then be assigned to clients with slightly lower acuity, but still requiring a considerable level of care. Finally, the two nursing assistants can be assigned to clients who require more basic care, allowing the RNs and LPNs to focus on clients with higher acuity.
In conclusion, the staffing assignment for the team of five RNs, two LPNs, and two nursing assistants, tasked with providing 12 hours of care to 30 clients with high acuity, is a complex endeavor. Utilizing an acuity-based staffing model and a template can assist in creating an organized and effective staffing assignment. It is vital to consider the skill set and competencies of the staff members, assigning the RNs to clients with the highest acuity, the LPNs to clients with slightly lower acuity, and the nursing assistants to clients with more basic care needs. By employing this approach, we can optimize resources, ensure quality care, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.