Prepare now for the Holiday Impact on Staffing

As splashes of gold and orange and magenta color the autumn landscape, thoughts shift toward the fast-approaching holiday season, and the impact it will have on staffing for long-term care facilities and healthcare organizations.

In a typical year, past records can assist with predicting census and staffing needs surrounding the holidays. Of course, 2020 has proven to be anything but routine with the disruption across every facet of healthcare from COVID-19. A variety of aspects including the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in your community, and unfortunately, the toll the virus may have taken on your residents will factor into staffing decisions.

As you look ahead—

Now’s the time to review policies that relate to holiday staffing and communicate said policies throughout the staff. The sooner new and veteran staff begin planning how to mesh their holiday plans with their work schedule, during this special yet hectic time of the year, the better. Begin by asking for volunteers to work a holiday, willing to work extra shifts, or be re-assigned to other areas where additional staff is needed.

Identify current needs and challenges

Are some areas overstaffed, while other departments are overwhelmed by a patient increase, staffing shortage, or both? Are there scheduled vacations or leaves of absence that will complicate staffing in November and December?

From direct care staff including CNAs, LPNs, RNs, to management, housekeeping  and dietary, the waves of change wrought by COVID-19 have left their mark. Current issues and challenges must be revealed and addressed now, before holiday staffing concerns gets thrown into the mix. Again, the pandemic has likely impacted the “norm” across every department. Striving to arrive at the holiday season with a complete roster will make adequate staffing during the busiest time of the year a much easier task.

Recognize the condition of your staff

Exhaustion from covering shifts, the emotional drain of worry and stress, and the topsy-turvy homelife many households find themselves enduring may have your staff limping into the holiday season. While these scenarios can be considered normal, each has been inflated ten to one hundred-fold due to this pandemic. The bottom line: the team spirit that has championed your organization through the challenges of the holiday season may be deflated as 2020 draws to a close. Call for thorough assessments from department heads to avoid being caught unaware when the calendar flips to November.

Leverage multiple solutions

A proven option that can ease holiday-related staffing issues includes utilizing interim RNs, LPNs, CNAs, MDS Coordinators, and Directors of Nursing to even out the schedule. Many organizations find that the use of temporary or interim staff ensures their facility’s ability to deliver excellent care during the holiday season. By partnering with a staffing firm, much of the worry about adequate staffing can be eliminated. A staffing firm well-versed in the variety of positions a long-term care facility or hospital must continually fill can be an invaluable resource, as their talent pool is trained to serve the unique needs of healthcare organizations.

Whether your facility’s need for staffing coverage falls mostly in November or goes through the end of the year, interim staffing is often the ideal solution to holiday staffing woes.

LeaderStat’s sole focus on the healthcare industry means we can provide outstanding interim support, travel nurses, executive recruitment services, and consulting expertise to long-term care, senior living communities and hospitals. Contact us to learn more about our extensive network of experienced healthcare providers who are available for interim and permanent positions nationwide.