Schedule advice

[heatherp5]

Hi Everyone

I'm going to be starting a new day/night rotation schedule and I'm just looking for some advice on how I should schedule myself to promote the best work/life/REST balance.

I will be rotating in blocks of 4 weeks days then 4 weeks nights. I also have to work 4 weekend shifts per block (or every other weekend)

The days block will alternate weekly between 3-12s and 3-12s and 1-8hr

Ex:

Week 1: AAA

Week 2: AAAD

Week 3: AAA

Week 4: AAAD

The next month will be a 4 week block of five 8 hour nights.

Ex:

Week 5: NNNNN

Week 6: NNNNN

Week 7: NNNNN

Week 8: NNNNN

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how do people group their shifts together especially night shifts, how many shifts are too much to work in a row, when you have nights off how many in a row do you like best in order to flip back to "real" life? Etc.

I know this is a pretty vague inquiry and everyone's body seems to adjust differently but I'm just hoping to solicit any advice from nurses who have had similar experiences.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Heather

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I usually like to work my shifts all in a row. This doesn't always work, since there are 60+ other nurses on my unit that would probably all prefer to work M-W or Tue-Thur too :) I work straight night shift and usually stay up until 3 or 4am on my nights off & sleep until 11-12 ish in the morning. The absolute max number of 12 hour shifts in a row I like to do is 4, and that last night really feels like torture. It sounds like you get to self schedule? I think it might take you a little playing around with your schedule to see what works for you.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

There is no way I would work a rotating day/night schedule. I can't believe people do! Nursing is stressful enough, without adding sleep problems to it. I have worked places where it was required to do seven (that's right, seven) 12's in a row. If I can't get a decent schedule that will allow me to sleep properly, I won't take the job. Good luck and hope you get better responses than mine!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Plot in your weekend, probably every other and then work from there. We have to work 2 Fridays and one Monday also per 4 week period, so if if there are other requirements then plot those in also.

Many units do this and once you figure it out you can settle in. Try to

Make sure you have 2 days off between nights and then flipping to days, makes it easier to get on days.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I work rotating and don't like it at all. I agree with the PP, look at the requirements and go from there. Best of luck!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I will only do straight nights or days no rotating.