You notice you have been scheduled for 14 consecutive days of work. How should you approach this roster issue?

You notice you have been scheduled for 14 consecutive days of work. How should you approach this roster issue?

• A. Accept it as normal and continue working without comment.
• B. Discuss with MWU about expected hours and seek roster rectification; consider a break if needed.
• C. Ignore the roster and rely on personal resilience.
• D. Take a leave of absence immediately without discussion.

Answer: (B)

When work hours become excessive, patient safety and clinician wellbeing must come first. The best approach is to speak up through the proper channels: discuss the 14 consecutive days with the supervisor and, if available, involve MWU to review expected hours and seek roster adjustments. You’re prioritizing safety by flagging fatigue, and you’re using formal processes to request changes rather than letting burnout happen or silently accepting an unsustainable schedule. If needed, consider a break to recover, or propose feasible alternatives (shorter shifts, spread with rest days, or coverage) to keep care safe and the team functioning. This balances your health, the workload, and patient care, and it avoids the pitfalls of ignoring the issue or taking leave without discussion.

When work hours become excessive, patient safety and clinician wellbeing must come first. The best approach is to speak up through the proper channels: discuss the 14 consecutive days with the supervisor and, if available, involve MWU to review expected hours and seek roster adjustments. You’re prioritizing safety by flagging fatigue, and you’re using formal processes to request changes rather than letting burnout happen or silently accepting an unsustainable schedule. If needed, consider a break to recover, or propose feasible alternatives (shorter shifts, spread with rest days, or coverage) to keep care safe and the team functioning. This balances your health, the workload, and patient care, and it avoids the pitfalls of ignoring the issue or taking leave without discussion.