Shifts and hours of work

Hours of work

Most students will be allocated to an 8-hour AM shift or PM shift for the entire clinical placement. Some placements require students to work on a roster basis (combination of AM or PM shifts), 12 hour or night duty shifts.  

You must have a minimum 10-hour break between shifts and you are not to attend placement for more than 12 hours per day.

You will either be put on an AM or a PM shift.

• AM shifts can start as early as 6.30 am
• PM shifts can finish as late as 110 pm.
• Night Duty shifts can be 10 hour (9.30-7.30am) or 12 hours (7.00pm – 7.30am)
• Students are normally allocated to one 30minute lunch/dinner break and one 15minute tea break. 
• Breaks: You are normally allocated to one 30minute lunch/dinner break and one 15minute tea break. 

Students in third year are expected to be available to work a rotating roster. This includes AM, PM, Night Duty shifts between Monday – Saturday.

Students are not required to work public holidays. Students are not paid for attending clinical placement. Each facility has different start and finish times - be sure to check MyPlacement for specific facility information. 

The shifts I’ve been allocated clash with the hours of my part-time job, what can I do?

Completing all hours of your placement is a requirement of your degree. The faculty recommends you don’t undertake paid work while on placement.

I can’t afford to give up my paid work to go on placement, what can I do?

You need to complete all the hours of a placement to be able to graduate and register to become a nurse.

If it will be a problem for you financially you should speak with UTS Financial Assistance Service.