The emergency department is unique when it comes to census fluctuations and acuity. To ensure successful operations, maintaining the appropriate level of nurse staffing to address these variables is vitally important. Having the right number of FTEs affects nurses’ workloads, staff retention, and, most importantly, patient outcomes. Using patient census and length of stay, the ENA Staffing Calculation Tool evaluates and projects the FTEs needed for your emergency department to ensure safe care. Tips for communicating staffing needs to senior leaders are included with the tool.

Authors:
Altair Delao, MPH
Zoran Martinovich, PhD
Catherine Olson, MSN, RN
Cydne Perhats, MPH, CHES
Lisa Wolf, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN, FAAN