Hi RNs! Did you ever hear the so-called "scheduler"? This is actually the system used by some call centers. It is the process of making a schedule using the computer. I am currently working in a hospital which is currently managed by people who mostly came from call centers. Now, they are adapting this scheduler to the nursing profession.

Previously, our schedules were manually made by our head nurse. We are free to request for our "rest" days and the type of duty we want (morning, afternoon or night) but now, due to the scheduler, we were no longer allowed to request for our desired "rest" days. They also took our chance to choose the type of duty we want.

In this scheduler, the computer makes our schedule. The computer decides when we will have our rest days. The computer also decides what type of duty we will be having for the next 2 weeks. At first, we didn't agree with the implementation of scheduler but due to these "advantages" that they told us, we agreed. Here are their stated "advantages":

1. No more Night-Rest-AM shifts. (I think you know how hard it is to have that type of schedule)

2. No more overtime shifts like 12 hours or 16 hours shift.

3. Blocked schedule. Meaning, for 2 weeks, you'll be having a fixed schedule. Example, from Aug 1-7 you're AM shift, Aug 8-14 PM shift, Aug 15-21 Night shift...

Those were just some of their explained advantages. But as of today, I just received my new schedule and here is the summary of my schedule:

1. The computer gave me a 6PM-6AM (12 hours) shift this coming Sunday.
2. The type of duty for this week: Rest-6P-Night-Rest-PM-PM-PM-Rest-AM-PM-Rest-AM-AM-Night

The purpose of their so-called "scheduler" is not being followed. We are still having 12 hours duty, some of my colleagues are still having Night-Rest-AM duties and my sched is not blocked! Most of all, we are not allowed to request for our desired rest days! Most of us cannot accommodate our personal plans anymore because of this. I can't believe a computer is dictating when should I rest and when should I work. We are being controlled by a computer.

Can anyone explain if this is legal or acceptable to nursing profession? I am planning to talk to my manager regarding this matter. I just want to get some ideas, preferably references when I talk to them. Thanks guys!