The nurse rostering problem: from operational research to organizational reality?

Abstract

Hospital managers must understand that roster design has a major impact on ward performance and must develop clear roster policies that define staff levels, skill mix, shift patterns and the rules used in preparing the roster.

Nurse rostering: models and algorithms for theory, practice and integration with other problems

“…This strongly facilitates the initial investment phase, as it supports head nurses in defining the often subtle trade-off between constraint violations [45].…”

Does longer roster lead‐time reduce temporary staff usage? A regression analysis of e‐rostering data from 77 hospital units

“…This optimized at 4.3 weeks ( R 2 = .25) and then began to decline steadily. Since the maximum lead‐time of the sample was 6 weeks, the nature of this decline beyond that duration remains unknown, though, in practice, few units approve the roster beyond this time (Drake, 2014b).…”

Attitudes towards rotating shift work in clinical nurses: a Q‐methodology study

“…, Brewer et al . , Drake ). For this to occur, the attitudes of nurses towards RSW need to be understood.…”

“…While RSW is often required to provide continuous patient care (Shao et al 2010), there are problematic issues including mental and physical stress (Suzuki et al 2004, Willis et al 2008. Encouraging voluntary and active participation of nurses in this work system or adopting a variable and flexible RSW schedule attuned to individual needs of nurses may help alleviate these stresses (Peters et al 2009, Brewer et al 2012, Drake 2014. For this to occur, the attitudes of nurses towards RSW need to be understood.…”