N/MUMs Society: We need creative staffing solutions
Type: Union News Subject: Nursing Issues
3 March 2010
President of N/MUMs Society, Samantha Faithfull.
N/MUM society members are primarily concerned with rostering, workloads, skill mixes and staff ratios.
President of the Nursing and Midwifery Unit Managers Society, Samantha Faithfull, said rostering and skill mix issues are a major concern among N/MUM Society members.
‘N/MUMs are concerned about the effects on patient care and safety of a staffing mix that contains less experienced RN/Ms and an increased number of lesser-trained or experienced staff.
‘Many N/MUMs think that safety is already being compromised and will deteriorate in the coming years with the expected accelerated loss of experienced RNs/Ms from the workforce,’ she said.
‘With less experienced RNs/Ms and an increased number of lesser-trained or less experienced staff, there is increased difficulty rostering a safe skill mix. It is difficult building rosters to ensure there is an appropriate skill mix without taking into account day-to-day fluctuations such as leave,’ said Samantha.
‘One minute a roster can look great with minimal requirement for agency staff, but then someone is sick or needs leave and a reasonable roster is turned on its end. The N/MUM or RN/RM in charge then needs to look for someone to swap a shift, do overtime or engage agency staff.
‘Having an agency nurse is “a valuable pair of hands”, but one cannot rely on agency staff to take responsibility for the more acute or critical patients as their skills are unknown to the N/MUM,’ said Samantha.
‘We need to be creative in finding a solution to staffing problems. Nurse ratios should be explored as a possible solution. The N/NUMs Society of NSW is keen to work collaboratively with the NSWNA in pursuing this.
‘N/MUMs should be leading the change and be part of finding effective staffing solutions. I strongly recommend that all N/MUMs join the N/MUMs Society of NSW so you can have input and be part of discussions at this critical time,’ said Samantha.
To join the N/MUMs Society of NSW, go to the website at www.numsociety.org.au or email the Admin Assistant on lsaunders@numsexecadmin.optusnet.com.au
Nurse ratios staffing remedy
Karen Draddy, Vice President, N&MUMs Society of NSW, said nurses at Mona Vale Hospital are very concerned about workloads and staffing. ‘We’ve had some difficulties accessing the Reasonable Workloads Committee to address these concerns and we’re hoping to re-ignite the committee with some new representatives and passion.’
Karen agrees that staffing and safe patient care should be a high priority in the NSWNA’s Award negotiations. ‘We urgently need a more effective staffing solution. I believe nurse ratios is the way to go, especially if they have built-in skill mix, acuity and environmental considerations.’
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