Nurse requirement planning: a computer‐based model

Rationale  The paper considers the recent debate on mandating patient–nurse ratios in inpatient units of hospitals, and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to requirement estimation, which can facilitate the implementation of mandated patient–nurse ratios in hospitals. Aim  After considering the available methods for nurse requirement planning, this paper intends to discuss an alternative approach for estimating nurse requirement when certain patient–nurse ratios have been prescribed. Methods  Once the required information becomes available, the next task is to estimate unit‐wise and overall nurse requirement. As the computational effort is quite considerable, the paper develops and elucidates a computer‐assisted nurse requirement‐planning model, which helps in systematizing and accelerating the estimation process. Results  The computer‐based nurse requirement‐planning model enables planners to respond objectively and promptly to requests for more nurses by nursing administrators (who perceive nurse shortages). Conclusions  The paper demonstrates the unique advantage of this computer‐based approach over conventional methods, especially when the planner wishes to pre‐evaluate alternative decision options by simulating manpower implications under alternative scenarios.