Help me self schedule!

Sour Lemon · Mar 11, 2018

Hey Guys! Wondering if anyone could give me any advice and help me make a good rotating schedule. I work in Labor and Delivery and I am a rotator. Right now the reals are you have to work 6 nights, 6 weekend days (Saturday and Sunday days or Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night count as weekends) but you can't work all your night shifts....well you're not "supposed to". And you must also sign up for 1 flex shift per schedule. The schedule are 6 weeks long. Really trying to figure out how I'm going to achieve all these requirements, I'd love any feedback or suggestions I can get! Thanks!!

The thing about self scheduling is that you do it yourself based on what worked best for you. If you can't figure out what you want, turf it to your manager.

I used to allow my manager to "self schedule" me because I didn't have preferences. Your coworkers will love you for it because they'll be more likely to get the schedules they are hoping for.

bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN · Mar 12, 2018

It's completely up to you what kind of schedule you want. Some people like having all their days in a row and some can't handle 3 back to back 12 hour shifts. Figure out what works for you and go from there.

allnurses Guide · Mar 12, 2018

When I self scheduled I enjoyed both a two on, two off pattern as well as two on, one off, one on, three off etc. I never switched from day to night to day though.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 12, 2018

Also be aware that, in my experience, self-scheduling really isn't. It's more like self-wish-list, and management reserves the right to change it to meet the needs of the unit.