The Staffing Saga Continues

I tend to write about staffing when it is a problem, but I guess that's when it's on my mind the most. I really feel that nursing homes could improve the unemployment situation if people would just come to work. Right now I have a very tired and frustrated staff. I hired 4 state tested nursing assistants in August and all 4 are gone in less than 30 days. The biggest issue is over time. I have a mandation policy in place to cover scheduling problems that does not make the new person always be the one that has to stay. The reasons they left were: 1 didn't want to work the assigned unit and just left 2 hours into the shift without telling anyone, 2 due to mandation and 1 never was able to get a reason. None of these people gave any notice. Over the last few weeks I have lost employees to other facilities because they pay more. It is hard to be compeditive in a privately owned facility. On the lighter side I have recieved some very funny schedule requests. A couple of my favorites are: One was, I would like to cut back to 3 days per week with no week ends unless I am asked. Another one was I need to call off on Thursday to orient at my new job. Unfortunately in almost all health care in patient settings we are 24 hrs per day 7 days per week and everyone including managers must work weekends and holidays but I thought these were funny. If you don't laugh sometimes you would cry. I never get any remarks on this blog but if anyone has any other stories, comments or ideas to improve staffing I would love to hear from you.