Benefits of Flexible Scheduling in Healthcare

The shortage of staff and the rise of demand in the healthcare industry have made staff scheduling difficult for managers and HR. That’s why many hospitals and healthcare facilities have adopted flexible scheduling to fill shifts with qualified and willing staff.

Flexible scheduling is a beneficial concept in the healthcare industry. Not only does it make life easier for caregivers and the patients who receive their services, but it also has a positive impact on the bottom line.

Let us show you how flexible scheduling benefits medical staff, patients, and even the organization as a whole.

What is flexible scheduling?

Flexible scheduling, also known as self-scheduling, allows employees to select shifts themselves. This method enables managers to manage the work schedule based on demands and requirements.

Employees can see what shifts are available by using software or apps. They can select the shifts they want or swap with others. In times of schedule conflicts, they can communicate with managers or fellow workers to find mutual solutions.

By adopting flexible scheduling, you don’t have to do all the scheduling work. This will save you time while giving your employees enough freedom to balance work and life. This is also a great option at a time when customers’ demands fluctuate.

Benefits of flexible scheduling in healthcare

Gives staff more control over life and work

Flexible scheduling allows nurses to dynamically change working hours to better suit their lives and needs. They can deal with personal matters on weekdays. They just need to complete the required number of working hours each week.

By choosing shifts according to their preferences and lifestyles, nurses have more control over their time. This will enable them to live a balanced life, keeping them away from negative attitudes at work. 

Attracts more talents

Flexible scheduling can be a good benefit to attract and keep the best talents in a competitive industry. Having flexibility over their schedules can make or break a new hire’s decision.

Prospective employees care about the phrase “flexible scheduling” included in job descriptions. Flexible scheduling indicates that employers care about the well-being and preferences of their staff. It also lets candidates know they can have more control over their lives.

Reduces employee turnover

The turnover rate has increased in healthcare recently. This is due to the stressful nature of the work. And turnover is costly for medical facilities. Flexible scheduling can help reduce employee burnout and turnover. The cost of turnover can be used to offer better care for patients.

Reduces absenteeism

When nurses are often absent, the workload is increased, causing other employees to become overwhelmed or distracted. It also results in a delay in the treatment of patients.

Nurses who have flexibility over their work will change their schedules to suit the current situation. And they’re more likely to turn up for the shifts they’ve committed to.

Improves employee engagement

Happier employees mean better efficiency and productivity. This doesn’t only apply to hospitals and healthcare facilities, but also in any industry.

Engaged workplaces are more considerate of workers’ needs, allowing them to take proper care of their well-being. Flexible schedules can be one of the ways to improve employee engagement. The well-being of staff directly affects every business, including its bottom line.

Improves employee loyalty

The concept of employee loyalty is evolving as younger generations join the workforce. What used to be described as a long-term commitment is now more akin to a tit-for-tat interaction. That isn’t the only alarming statistic: 46% of workers would consider a new job offer if the opportunity arose.

When something better comes along, just because an employee isn’t looking for a new career doesn’t mean they won’t quit you. Employees who are active, on the other hand, tend to stay longer. Nurses who care for the hospital’s performance and are appropriately challenged by their jobs don’t quit.

Improves hospital service

If employees work when they’re at their best, the quality of their output will be greatly improved. On the contrary, when forced to go to work in a depressed mood, they quickly feel exhausted and almost don’t put much responsibility on the results. This can affect the service and reputation of the hospital.

Choose the right tool to help

Flexible scheduling is beneficial, but only a few healthcare facilities have the resources to execute it. This is mostly because the scheduling work can become messy quickly. A simple solution to this problem is using automated tools such as scheduling apps.

Scheduling apps such as Camelo allow employees to see open shifts and select ones that suit their schedules. They can also swap shifts in case of emergencies, and communicate about scheduling issues right on the app.