Benchmark – staffing matrix and reflection

The purpose of this assignment is to prepare students to make  staffing decisions based on sound financial management principles and  compliance guidelines.

Scenario: You are the nurse leader of a  30-bed medical surgical unit and have to account for all staffing,  including any discrepancies. Using sound financial management  principles, complete the “NUR-621 Topic 8: Staffing Matrix” in the  provided excel template.

After completing the matrix, compose an 1,000-1,250-word reflection answering the following questions:

1. Why is it important to use a staffing matrix in your health care setting?
2. Briefly  describe your staffing matrix. How many FTEs (full-time equivalent) on  the staffing roster are required to cover daily needs? What units of  services or work measurement did you use and why? What financial  management principles did you use to determine your staffing matrix?
3. Explain how you adjusted your staffing based on changes in the patient census.
4. You  receive your financial report for the month. You have used more FTEs  than what was budgeted for your census. How will you make up the  variance? How would you reallocate resources to make up for the variance  and still comply with guidelines?

Include two to four peer-reviewed references in your essay, including the textbook.

Prepare  this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style  Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not  required.

This  assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning  the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful  completion.