The nurse manager is reviewing the previous month's budget. The nurse manager notes that there is a positive (or favorable) variance of full-time equivalents. This is most likely a result of which of the following?
1. Overstaffed unit
2. Low client acuity
3. Increased use of supplies
4. Increased sick time use
Answer: 2
Rationale: When there is a positive variance of full-time equivalents, it means that there were fewer staff members working than was expected. The nurse manager budgeted to pay more to personnel than what was actually needed. Often, nurse managers develop staffing plans based on client acuity levels. The client acuity levels might have been lower than expected and fewer nurses were needed to work on the unit during this time period. If the unit had been overstaffed, this would have resulted in a negative or unfavorable variance of full-time equivalents. With increased use of supplies, this indicates an increase in client acuity levels, and would be reflected on the supply budget as an unfavorable or negative variance. Increased sick time use would have resulted in an increase of the personnel budget, an increase in the full-time equivalents that were paid to work during this time, and a negative or unfavorable variance.
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