Free tools › How to plan a week on rotating shifts
How to plan a week on rotating shifts
When your shifts move around, the week needs a plan more than the day does. This method takes about 15 minutes, once a week.
The five steps
- Mark each day. Write D (day), E (evening), N (night) or Off under each date.
- Add start and end times. Include handoff, so the end time is when you actually leave.
- Write a wake time for each day. Work it out from the start time with the shift routine builder.
- Plan meals, childcare and pets around the shifts. These are the parts other people rely on.
- Put errands on the days that have room. Usually the first afternoon off, not the morning after a night.
Example week
| Day | Shift | Times | Wake | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | D | 7am to 7:30pm | 5:30 am | Batch meals ready Sunday |
| Tue | D | 7am to 7:30pm | 5:30 am | Partner does school pick-up |
| Wed | Off | – | Your choice | Groceries, laundry |
| Thu | Off | – | Your choice | Switch-over day: a later evening |
| Fri | N | 7pm to 7:30am | Early afternoon | Night meal packed |
| Sat | N | 7pm to 7:30am | Early afternoon | Door note up |
| Sun | Off | – | Late morning | Light day, plan next week |
A switch-over checklist
- Check the schedule twice; swaps happen.
- Reset alarms for the new start time.
- Move meal times to match the new shift.
- Tell home what's changing and when you'll be asleep.
- Have your uniform washed and ready.
Want this on paper? The Shift Work Morning Planner has an undated weekly rotation page with D / E / N / Off for each day, plus rows for wake times, meals, childcare and errands.
See the Shift Work Morning Planner for Nurses → $14 · undated PDF