As targets are set during the Target Generation Phase of the Improvement Process, the Chief Nursing Officer or Director of Nursing will complete the Optimum Staffing Calculator© to determine the appropriate staffing by skill mix, by shift, and for the appropriate census. Various performance indicators such as cost per patient and hours per patient (worked and paid) will be reflected with the corresponding variances. In addition, the calculator can be used to play “what if” with different staffing mixes such as Primary Care vs. Team Nursing. Since the inception in 2003, front line managers have also been known to use the calculator daily to assess that day’s plan. Specific Department Level Planning and Interpretation