With more than 40 years leading the nursing directorate at Hospital San Francisco de Asís, Clara Roldán knows better than anyone what it takes to manage a workforce in times of staff shortages. In a small, close-knit hospital committed to personalised care, the lack of nurses was becoming a real risk to the quality of care and to the wellbeing of the team itself.
On this page
Stretched rotas and a fear of the unknown
In 2023, the hospital was living through an unsustainable situation.
- Nurses working double shifts without a break.
- Supervisors asking for favours every single day to fill the gaps.
- Holidays at risk, sick leave left uncovered and a growing sense of exhaustion across the whole team.
Then they discovered Livo, but they also had their doubts.
How is someone we have never met going to come and work here? They will not even know where the syringes are.
But the HR team and management quickly understood that this was not a matter of preference, it was a matter of operational sustainability.
The answer was not more effort, it was a change of approach
Livo offered something new: a network of vetted nurses, available exactly when they were needed, with no slow processes and no uncertainty.
Professionals verified in advance
Clara points out that Livo removed the need for manual screening.
“You saved us hours of reading CVs. The nurses arrived already vetted, self-assured and keen to work.”
Settling in from the very first minute
Although they were new to the hospital, how quickly they adapted was a surprise from the start.
“They handled themselves confidently, got things done, as if they had been here for weeks. That says a lot about their attitude, but also about the work of our own nurses, who welcomed them, showed them where everything was and gave them that essential first orientation. That collaboration was key.”
A warm human welcome, combined with rigorous pre-screening by Livo, created an environment of mutual trust.
Livo became part of everyday life
Adoption of Livo was gradual but steady. Supervisors started managing everything directly from the platform and, before long, nobody was writing “yellow” (an unfilled shift) on the rota any more. They simply wrote: “Livo”.
Who would turn up? We did not know. But we knew a Livo would turn up. It gave us cover, but it also gave us peace of mind.
A year on from the rollout, the effects have been unmistakable: holidays covered and new hires made.
- +1.100
- Shifts published
- +85%
- Shifts filled
- 129
- Returning professionals at the centre
- +65%
- Filled by returning professionals
A platform for every stage of a professional life
Clara’s account also highlights a generational shift.
We used to finish our degree and want to start working straight away. Today, many want to rest first. And I understand that.
Livo answers that shift: it offers shifts for those who put flexibility first, and permanent roles for those looking for stability.
I have been here 42 years because I wanted to be. This hospital is my home. But you cannot keep pushing the machine. If Livo tells you “I am going to help you”, I am getting on board. Livo has given us enormous reassurance. We could not manage the rotas without it now.
