Shifts in NHS for Nurses/HCA's

Scousebird_2

Hi Everyone,

I have been offered a job with the NHS starting in January as an Healthcare Assistant and I will be training to be a Nurse after a year. Does anyone know what standard shifts are in the NHS? I will be relying on public transport working on a ward and sometimes in A&E so it's 24hr care.

I was wondering how accommodating they are with people who use Public Transport. Obviously I want to be flexible because I want to be dedicated but I don't want it to affect my job as I really want to do it the best I can so i'm giving it my all as I've waited for so long for this opportunity and I feel so lucky to be given the chance.

I just wondered what rosters were like and what shift times ordinarily are. If anyone could help i'd appreciate it!!

Many thanks in advance xx

SomeBozo

Hello

You don't state if its a hospital (secondary care) or in the community (primary care).

Secondary care tend to stick to the traditional shifts of 6am - 2pm, 1pm-10pm and 9pm - 7am. Or thereabouts. But individual wards and staff can influence the shifts (like for example quite a few ICU wards now do 12 hour shifts).

If its in the community, they are different and tend to be fit in with the team needs, typically 9-4 as a usual.

Depending on where you are, public transport should be a option for you without any problems.

Bozo

clairec79

You'll be expected to work standard shifts (all the trusts I've been in are either short shifts - 7-2.30, 2-9.30, 9-7.30 or long 7-7.30).
You'll be expected to be there at the start of the shift regardless of public transport - if you are 2-3 minutes late because of it occasionally being late that's fine but not if everytime you are - they may let you go a touch earlier (as long as it's in the handover period) but no guarantee.

You'll also be expected to work bank holidays - sometimes they will be flexible due to the transport but if you use that to get out of every bank holiday then it won't be accepted. I know some people who use public transport who end up using taxis once or twice a year to do their 'share'.

However in general people are very accomodating and will offer lifts etc if they know you are on public transport

lal1234

Why don't you ask your potential employers re the shift times and flexibility???

Scousebird_2

Thanks for your comments. It has really helped. I am going to speak to the ward matron today. I can use either a train or a bus to get to work as I live near both services (I am on the Wirral travelling over to Liverpool) but I literally live right next to the Mersey so it's water separating me and the hospital (suppose I could always swim-lol, or in seriousness get the boat to work-the ferry terminal is 5 mins from my house)

Trains run from very early to very late from my house. And there are night buses although it's not always the safest option but it get me home and I don't have to go far. The trains run every 10 mins from my house to Liverpool Mon-Fri from 5.50am right through to 11.50pm and that's fab. The hospital is a good 15min walk from the train station for me because I am tiny (lol), therefore with journey time of approx 10mins and then my walk to the station, it's about 25-30min journey there and back which is nothing really in comparision to what I used to do.

Sunday's are hard because the first train is 7.51am which means I may not make it to handover till about 8.20/8.30 but I hope out of all the days they will understand and maybe use this as a day off or I could do a night that day or something.

I can get a taxi on days when the trains don't run-eg xmas and it's about £25 on xmas day to do the journey if I can't get a lift next xmas-but I have plently of planning time and if it's my day to work then that's the way the cookie crumbles so it's not the end of the world. Plus I am sure my Grandad could always help if the worst happenes. I assume boxing day is the same.

So it's all positive really. I am starting on band 2 at the bottom but I will hopefully do some courses and get pay increases by then so it will soften the financial blow somewhat. I am taking a pay cut to do this because I want it so much. Let's hope I succeed!

milliemonster

I doubt they will accept you coming in almost an hour late for an early shift on a sunday, you will need to discuss this with the matron before you start, it may be there may be another member of staff local who could give you a lift or you may be able to work flexi on sundays but you need to sort this out before you start

beccam

our shifts in the wards are usually 7.45-1.45, 7.45-4.45, 1-9, 7.45-9 and night shift is 8.45-8am
where i work its a bit different as we do a 4 day week so 7-6, 7-3, 11-7 or my shift which is 3pm - 1am.
All depends on the area you are in, ICU/HDU and A&E are more likely to do long days where other wards will do more split shifts (horrible) and might not like long days at all. You could ask to do late shift/night on a Sunday if you really can't get in for start of shift.
Hope you enjoy it and are well prepared for whats in store!!!:-)

Scousebird_2

I will be based on A&E and AMAU (Acute Medical Unit) to start.
The AMU is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
From what I understand The ward handover times are;

7.15am
1.45pm
8.45pm

It is England's largest AMU and has a 42 bedded ward area. It is next to the A&E department so I can imagine it'll be extremely busy!

Thanks for all your help guys. With regards to the transport-they are aware that I am on public transport so I assume they are aware of Sunday's travel but I am sure I can discuss this with their HR and explain the circumstances. And I will speak to the Matron on my first day as I don't think I am going onto the ward straight away.

surreysaver

beccam wrote: »

split shifts (horrible)

Are split shifts not illegal now? The WTD says you have to have 11 hours off between shifts. A lot of employers are also going off the idea of 12 hour shifts, due to fatigue issues and staff coverage if someone goes sick.

beccam

surreysaver wrote: »

Are split shifts not illegal now? The WTD says you have to have 11 hours off between shifts. A lot of employers are also going off the idea of 12 hour shifts, due to fatigue issues and staff coverage if someone goes sick.

Since when has something being illegal ever stopped the NHS ward managers!!?;)
Some people doing the off duty will still try to get you on a late shift after night duty, split shifts are still going though I think more people now have the wit to put up a bit of a fight over doing them.

notlongnow_2

beccam wrote: »

Since when has something being illegal ever stopped the NHS ward managers!!?;)
Some people doing the off duty will still try to get you on a late shift after night duty, split shifts are still going though I think more people now have the wit to put up a bit of a fight over doing them.

agree!! At my local hospital 14hr shifts are not uncommon and a+e are expected to come onto a late shift after a night shift. The wards I trained on were also less than impressed at me arriving to the ward at just before ten past seven when the shift started at 7.