How do I fill holiday shifts at my nursing home?
Holiday shifts are the hardest to fill in any nursing home because everyone wants them off simultaneously. The facilities that consistently cover holidays post early, pay a differential, and have a bench of caregivers who prefer holiday work built before November.
Why holiday coverage fails
- Posting too late - holiday shifts posted the week of rarely fill at market rate
- No holiday differential - caregivers have multiple options on high-demand days and choose the best rate
- Relying on internal staff who also want holidays off
- No pre-built bench of per diem professionals who are willing to work holidays
Holiday coverage strategy
Thanksgiving shifts posted in October fill at market rate. Thanksgiving shifts posted the week before compete against every other facility in your market posting simultaneously.
$2-4/hour above your standard rate for major holidays is standard. This filters for caregivers who are willing to work and compensates them appropriately.
Some per diem professionals specifically prefer holiday shifts for the premium pay. Identify who accepted your holiday shifts last year and reach out directly.
Even with advance posting and a differential, some holidays will still need last-minute fills. A live marketplace account is your backup when everything else falls through.
The best holiday coverage comes from a small list of per diem professionals who have told you they are available for holidays and have a history of accepting those shifts. Build this list in September - not in December.
Holiday shift coverage is a lead time and rate problem. Post early, pay fairly, build your holiday bench before the season. The facilities that never scramble on holidays have been planning since summer.
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