Resources for RN’s on Staffing Committees
WSNA is committed to ensuring that the 2008 Safe Nurse Staffing Legislation is implemented
across Washington in a meaningful and effective way. We’ve compiled a tool kit with
information and work samples to help registered nurses serving on staffing committees.
For more general information on the law or on staffing research, please visit out
'About the Law' and 'References'
pages. WSNA members may also view their Local Unit websites for news and information
about the staffing committee in their facility.
Role of the Committee
The establishment of nurse staffing committees at each hospital is an excellent
way for the nursing profession to articulate the difference that RNs make in the
delivery of safe, effective and appropriate patient care. It is an opportunity for
nursing professionals and hospital administration to collaboratively determine staffing
needs and study the relationship between staffing and patient outcomes in their
own institutions. It is not the role or responsibility of the staffing committee
to deal with budget decisions. Wages, hours, and working conditions are mandatory
subjects of bargaining and should not be a part of any staffing committee discussions.
For more information about this important distinction, read our
guidelines on the role of the staffing committee (PDF document) or contact
your nurse representative with any questions.
Tools
- Sample charter
(Word format) – Download and view a sample charter for your staffing committee.
This sample charter can be edited to suit your committee’s needs.
- Sample staffing matrix
(Excel format) – Download and view a sample telemetry staffing matrix to give you
a guide on how to build staffing matrixes for different units in your facility.
You can then use these matrixes to build a staffing plan for each unit.
- Sample Staffing Plan – The Massachusetts Hospital Association provides staffing
plans online for dozens of hospitals. View a sample from the Berkshire Medical Center
here to get ideas for building your staffing plan. For a guide on how to
read the staffing chart, view the Massachusetts Hospital Association
sample chart with explanations of each category.
- National staffing ratio grid
(PDF format) – Recommended staffing guidelines and ratios from various national
organizations that could be useful in developing staffing plans.
Need More Information?
WSNA members can contact their nurse representative or attend a staffing workshop
for more information or support. Other inquiries about staffing committee resources
can be made by contacting WSNA at 1-800-231-8482, Ext. 0 or 206-575-7979, Ext. 0
or by emailing swatkins@wsna.org.
