Nurses' Perceived Adequacy of Staffing and Scheduling Systems

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of a newly implemented acuity and scheduling system on nurses' perception of staffing adequacy and scheduling satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Research shows an association between nurse staffing and scheduling and job satisfaction, but there is limited research on how staffing and scheduling affect this relationship. METHODS: A convenience sample of nurses completed surveys measuring satisfaction with staffing and scheduling before and after implementation of a new scheduling and acuity system in the hospital setting. Comparison of pre-post survey responses was analyzed with Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Participants (n = 1100) were primarily females (78%), registered nurses in their late 30s, with a college degree, working in the inpatient unit. There were statistically significant improvements in staff satisfaction with scheduling and staffing processes with the new system (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an empowered scheduling system significantly enhances engagement, improves satisfaction, and can strengthen organizational capacity to sustain a stable and resilient workforce.