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Placement shifts

Discussion in 'Clinical Placements & Electives' started by TLJ123, Jan 27, 2012.

  1. TLJ123 New Member

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    Hi all, I have just started an access to midwifery course but i'm a bit concerned with the placement shifts once i start the degree. I have two young children (one will be in full time education by the time i start the degree) and my husband leaves for work at 6.30am monday-friday. I was just wondering how the placements work, do you know well in advance what hours you are working? What hours do you work from and to on each shift?

    How are some of you coping with childcare and seeing your children whilst doing your placements?

    Confused on what i'm going to do :?
    TLJ123, Jan 27, 2012
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  2. iolaus Education Moderator

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    You often don't know more than a week in advance (because your mentor may not know themselves) - for example I get 4 weeks of off duty at a time, the new month comes out about 7-10 days before the old one ends

    Depends where you are on placement to - hospitals tend to either be short shifts (roughly 7-2.30, 2-9.30, 9-7.30) or long shifts (7 - 7.30) and community is 8.30-4

    I found I still saw a lot of my kids as I always saw them either in the mornings or afternoon/evenings when I was working (did/do short shifts), long days meant I could go a long time without seeing them as they'd be asleep when I left and when I got home, so hate long days for that reason, some prefer them as you then have more days off
    iolaus, Jan 27, 2012
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  3. Victoria sponge Active Member

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    Very similar to iolaus though start/finish times a little bit different. I also hate long days for the same reason - they mean you can go a very long time without seeing the family. Problem is that as a student you get absolutely no choice - although can only speak for my area. There are ways round, and it is possible. But it is hard at times. Good luck!
    Victoria sponge, Jan 27, 2012
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  4. Ticketyboo Member

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    We work 8.30-4.30 on community and 7.30-7.30 on ward (either nights or days)On community we do 4 days a week and on the wards we do 2 shifts one week and 3 the following. When we are on community we also do on calls which is from 4.30pm to 8.30am (although I believe these are usually voluntary). We get very little notice. On my first week I was told to turn up on day 1 at 8.30 and we would sort out the rest of the week then.

    Each Uni is different so you need a reply from the Uni you would like to go to really. Good luck!:)
    Ticketyboo, Jan 30, 2012
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  5. Tesni Moderator

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    Most universities do blocks in uni and on placement eg six weeks spent in university followed by six weeks on placement - that varies at different times/universities, maybe blocks of 8 weeks/ten weeks. Some universities have a week by week structure with say 3 days in uni and two on placement or vice versa - it works out 50/50 between theory and placement. The year is 45 weeks a year study, with usually two weeks leave at Christmas, two at Easter-ish and three in July or August, dates not necessarily coinciding with school holidays and not negotiable. University days will generally be between 9 ish to 4.30 ish, some earlier some later. Some unis have one study day a week others half a day. On placement you will be expected to work at least 50% with your mentor - sometimes with the shifts allowing for some wiggle room but often there is no chance to swap round. You will work whatever shifts your mentor is doing - days (long and short) nights and weekends 37.5hrs a week. You will need to check with the unis you are applying to as to what structure they use.
    Tesni, Jan 30, 2012
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  6. Jasmine1 Member

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    I understand that holidays in general are not negotiable as a student, but suppose you have some particular very special occasion that you want to attend which is just one day - would they try to accommodate you or is it just tough you miss it.
    Jasmine1, Feb 3, 2012
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  7. Noo Spoilt Princess

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    If it was one day then I'm sure there would be someway of taking it as an absence and catching up or if you were on placement you can arrange to work your hours on another day that week.
    Noo, Feb 3, 2012
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