Staffing

CONTENT

I. Definition of Staffing

Staffing is the process of determining and providing the acceptable number and mix of nursing personnel to produce a desired level of care to meet the patient’s demand.

II. Purpose of Staffing

Its purpose is to provide a nursing unit with an appropriate and acceptable number of workers in each category to perform the various nursing tasks required. If proper staffing is not done, it will adversely affect the quality and quantity of work done.

III. Factors Affecting Staffing

Various factors affect staffing and these are:

1. The type, philosophy and objectives of the hospital and nursing service;

2. The population served or the kind of patients served whether pay or charity;

3. The number of patients and severity of their illness – knowledge and ability of nursing personnel are matched with the actual care needs of patients;

4. Availability and characteristics of the nursing staff, including education, level of preparation, mix of personnel, number and position;

5. Administrative policies such as rotation, weekends and holiday off-duties;

6. Standards of care desired which should be available and clearly spelled out. Institutions may utilize the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines’s (ANSAP) Standard of Nursing Practice; PRC-ANSAP’s Standards of Safe Nursing Practice and/or the hospitals themselves may formulate/develop their own standards;

7. Layout of the various nursing units and resources available within the department such as adequate equipment, supplies and materials;

8. Budget including the amount allotted to salaries, fringe benefits (insurance), supplies and materials;

9. Professional activities and priorities in non-patient activities like involvement in professional organizations, formal educational development, participation in research and staff development;

10. Teaching program or the extent of staff...