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Schedules

Your first schedule as a new grad

What to expect, and how to make it work

Updated November 5, 2026 · Facts checked against the sources listed below

Your first schedule as a new grad. What to expect, and how to make it work
Orientation often follows your preceptor. You may work your preceptor's shifts: Days, nights or a mix. Your hours may change after orientation: Ask what your real schedule will be. Orientation length varies: By unit and specialty

ORIENTATION

1. Orientation often follows your preceptor

  • You may work your preceptor's shiftsDays, nights or a mix
  • Your hours may change after orientationAsk what your real schedule will be
  • Orientation length variesBy unit and specialty
Days, nights or both. Many new grads start on nights: Or a rotating schedule. Rotating means switching days and nights: Ask how often it flips. Self-scheduling is common on some units: Others post a set schedule

ROTATING

2. Days, nights or both

  • Many new grads start on nightsOr a rotating schedule
  • Rotating means switching days and nightsAsk how often it flips
  • Self-scheduling is common on some unitsOthers post a set schedule
Expect to share the weekends. Most units rotate weekends: Ask how many per schedule. Holidays usually rotate too: Some units track who worked which. Low seniority can mean fewer choices: That changes with time

WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS

3. Expect to share the weekends

  • Most units rotate weekendsAsk how many per schedule
  • Holidays usually rotate tooSome units track who worked which
  • Low seniority can mean fewer choicesThat changes with time
Protect your days off. Group your shifts when you can: Longer stretches off. Plan sleep around nights: Not the other way around. Meal prep on your first day off: Future you says thanks

MAKE IT WORK

4. Protect your days off

  • Group your shifts when you canLonger stretches off
  • Plan sleep around nightsNot the other way around
  • Meal prep on your first day offFuture you says thanks
Questions worth asking. How is the schedule made, and when is it posted?. How do requests and shift swaps work?. What's the weekend and holiday rotation?. Check your unit's policy or union contract

ASK YOUR MANAGER

5. Questions worth asking

  • How is the schedule made, and when is it posted?
  • How do requests and shift swaps work?
  • What's the weekend and holiday rotation?
  • Check your unit's policy or union contract

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