The 12-hour weekend plan--does the nursing staff really like it?

After nursing administrators at one Boston hospital implemented a new system for weekend coverage, they surveyed the staff's response to the trial plan. Here the author explains their system, what they learned when they measured its effects, and how they used staff responses to improve it. They proceed to examine the new system's effects on recruitment and absenteeism. The experiences shared here should assist other nursing administrators who are looking at new scheduling approaches and their viability in resolving staffing problems.