The DCCM nursing staff work either 12 or 8 hour shifts, however not a combination of both.  Staff new to the ICU environment may be required to work only 8 hour shift initially.

The roster is completed in 4 week blocks and is usually available 4-5 weeks ahead of time.  All staff fill in a self-roster.  The system works on a red request basis - depending on the hours worked staff can request certain shifts on or off (4 red requests for a fulltime staff member on each 4 week roster), the remaining roster is completed in pencil.   The roster person will do their utmost to grant what is requested, but only the red requests are guaranteed.

Full time staff working on 8 hr shifts work 5 shifts per week.  Staff working 12 hr shifts work 10 shifts in 3 weeks, as long as no more than 4 shifts are worked in a week.