How does RN shift rostering work in BC?

[Susan to Vanc]

I would love to ask how rostering normally works for for RN's in Vancouver - possibly more specific to burnaby or Vanc General Hospital. (I am more likely going to work in a public hospital).

For each coming fortnight of shifts can you put in 'pencil requests' as to the shifts you would like to work, and days you would like to have off..... or do you have the same roster of set days week after week?

Do I also have the right mind set that seven 10hour shifts are done each fortnight? therefore also have 7 days off each fortnight?

Thanks for any help, Im moving over from Australia and trying to find out some finer details.

[Fiona59]

The hospitals in the GVRD are pretty much all public hospitals with only a few private surgical clinics around.

Shifts are usually 12 or 8 hours long. Each position has a rotation of days set out. If you are part time and want extra hours you let your manager or staffing office know which days work for you. Depending on seniority and other factors you usually get hours. OT is assigned by seniority or whoever is on the floor when the need arises or whoever answers their phone at home.

Changes to your rotation are either worked as an exchange with a co-worker or you wind up using vacation time if nobody wants to swap.

[Susan to Vanc]

Cheers.

So does that mean that you have the exact same roster set for you each fortnight?? and as you say if you need a day off for say a wedding that comes up one day, you have to do a shift swap with a fellow collegue, or get an RDO.

If I was keen to work a full-time roster of 12 hour shifts, how many shifts would I have to work a fortnight?

thanx