Open vs Targeted Shifts: Which One Should You Use?

Not all healthcare shifts should be handled the same way. Some need to be filled as fast as possible. Others require continuity, experience, or very specific staff. That’s where the distinction between Open and Targeted shifts becomes critical. Understanding when to use each approach can dramatically reduce unfilled shifts, admin time, and scheduling errors.

Control exactly who sees each shift with flexible distribution options that balance broad availability with strategic staffing decisions.

What is an Open Shift?

An open shift is visible to all eligible employees who meet the skill requirements.

Instead of managers messaging staff one by one, the shift is published openly, allowing qualified employees to respond themselves.

Best used for:

Regular staffing needs where multiple qualified staff could work
High-volume shift posting (like filling multiple CNA shifts across units)
Building goodwill by offering opportunities fairly to all eligible staff
Urgent needs where you need the fastest possible response

What is a Targeted Shift?

Targeted shifts are visible only to specific employees you select from the eligible pool. You maintain complete control over who can respond.

Targeted Shifts work well for:

High-acuity units requiring your most experienced staff
Shifts requiring specific interpersonal dynamics or team composition
Offering preferred shifts to high performers or staff with seniority
Managing overtime strategically by controlling who you offer extra shifts to
Filling charge nurse or specialized roles where only select staff should be considered
Reducing notification fatigue by limiting outreach to your first-choice candidates

Shifts Requiring Approval

Both Open and Targeted shifts can include Approval Required.

This means:

Staff can respond or request the shift
Managers approve before the booking is confirmed

Add an approval step to your shift distribution that lets you review multiple candidates before making your final staffing decision.

How It Works

When you enable Requires Approval on a shift, eligible employees can’t immediately accept it. Instead, they submit an Apply response, indicating their interest.

You then review all applications and select the best candidate for that specific shift—giving you time to evaluate your options before committing.

Why Use Requires Approval

This approval workflow is valuable when:

Multiple qualified candidates are expected — You want to see all your options before deciding
Experience levels vary significantly — An RN with 15 years of ICU experience versus a newly hired ICU RN may both be eligible, but you want to choose strategically
Patient acuity is high — Critical care situations where you need your absolute best staff member for that shift
Team composition matters — You need to consider who’s already scheduled to ensure the right skill mix
Shift desirability is high — When a particularly appealing shift (weekday days, no holidays) will attract many applicants, you can reward top performers
Seniority or internal policies apply — You need time to review applications against preference lists, union rules, or fairness considerations