NHS Shift Pattern

[Didyeaye]

Is anyone able to help with what a shift pattern described as ‘rotational days/ nights and 7.5hr and 11.55 hr shift patterns‘ looks like in reality? I’m considering applying for a support position but trying to work out if I’d be able to work out childcare.

It’s NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde if that makes any difference.

Given the amount of time it takes me to do the roster every month, I'd love self rostering and I am intrigued. Would love it to be trialed in my Trust, I'm really curious to see how it could work.

Seeing the roster from the other side, some people make completely unreasonable demands and never want to work weekends or nights for example. I'd love to see how that is managed.

Maybe I'll suggest we trial it......

For anyone rostering, have a look at Dr Rob Galloway on Twitter. He’s got it sorted!

I'm sorry. Just read back and I sound so judgey and I don't mean to be! Look at me all uppity when I'm just starting 😂.

I think self rostering is the way to go. With maybe an addendum to say... If we don't get shifts covered then we may require you to work those shifts?

Christmas seems to work out well. No one is grumbling. We can't book time off in December until its all done

I’ve done self rostering in a couple of trusts and it works as long as there are some rules about how many requests you can have and regarding skill mix. If you get to it last then it can be a problem.

Our shift patterns are completely random. Some people have set shifts but, it's not common, and isn't encouraged. Our shifts are 0700-1930, and 1900-0730. Occasional short shifts are 0700-1345 or 1300-1930.

My ward will try and fit round child care as far as possible. The attitude is that all staff have a life and demands on their time too. So everyone takes it in turn to work Christmas/ holidays and priority is not given to people with children.

I try really hard to meet everyone’s requests and most will say I am very fair but some people do take the piss!

I’ve had so many requests for Christmas off from those who were off last year. No one ever wants a late shift Christmas Day! Requests for Christmas and new year off, it goes on and on.

And as the person responsible for the rota, I work more hours than I want to in order to cover the ward and I give myself the shifts no one else wants. It’s the shittiest job ever.

I’m going to campaign for self rostering, thanks all for the information💐👍🥂

I've been in one ward where you chose where you get all the nights together for like 2 months and then the rest of the year day shifts which seemed to work pretty well. Also been on some wards where they do all 3/4 days together and other wards that were horrified at the thought of doing 4 12 hours back to back (I much prefer that but sometimes DS struggles on the last day).

It might be worth applying and seeing what they say at interview stage? You can always decline if it doesnt work for your life. Check with local mums groups as I have used a nursery for the past 3 years which is flexible, I just give them what days I need a week in advance. All the mums there are nurses as you can imagine! Im a few hours north from you. You do tend to get your off duty a good bit in advance which allows you time to plan your life/childcare. I personally find long shifts much better than 9-5s for more days for my son but I understand it's not for everyone.

Thanks for even more replies and glad the info is helping others. Self rostering does sound good!

@Beseen19 I think that’s a good plan! I’m not wanting to pester them as it feels a bit presumptuous! It’s a massive change from office based work and about £6k lower than my current FTE but I just can’t shake the feeling that I want to do it. Potentially to eventually go back to education to progress an entirely different career. The nursery my older DC attends allows flexible attendance and offers a discount for NHS staff so I think that may work well!

Self rostering would, in my opinion, increase nursing numbers so much. But the wards/management just will not let the control go...their own fault they can't get staff!

I loathed self rostering and I think most of my ward were happy wen we reverted back to normal!