How to use this generator

Choose your rotation and the date your cycle starts — the first shift of a block. The calendar repeats the pattern from that day. Change the shift length if you don't work 12-hour shifts, and set the day your pay week starts to see how hours fall into each paycheck. The link updates as you go, so you can bookmark it or send it to your team.

Common 12-hour rotations

Rotation	Cycle	Pattern	Avg / week
Pitman (2-2-3)	14 days	2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off	42 h
DuPont	28 days	4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, 7 off	42 h
4 on, 4 off	8 days	4 on, 4 off	42 h
2 days, 2 nights, 4 off	8 days	2 days, 2 nights, 4 off	42 h
3 on, 3 off	6 days	3 on, 3 off	42 h
7 on, 7 off	14 days	7 on, 7 off	42 h
3×12, every other weekend off	14 days	3 shifts a week, alternate weekends	36 h

Most 24/7 rotations average 42 hours a week because two 12-hour shifts cover each day across four teams. Hospitals that keep nurses at 36 hours usually use self-scheduling or a fixed three-shift week instead.

Does your rotation earn overtime?

A 42-hour average rarely means 42 hours every week. On Pitman, for example, most pay weeks alternate between 36 and 48 hours — and those extra 8 hours are usually paid as overtime. To see what a week like that pays with your night and weekend differentials, use the nurse overtime calculator.

Questions

What is the most common 12-hour shift schedule for nurses?
Many hospital nurses work three 12-hour shifts a week (36 hours), with the days set by self-scheduling or by the unit. Rotating patterns such as Pitman (2-2-3), DuPont, 4 on 4 off and 2 days / 2 nights / 4 off are common where a unit needs fixed teams covering 24/7.

What is a Pitman (2-2-3) schedule?
A 14-day cycle: 2 days on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. With 12-hour shifts it averages 42 hours a week, and every other weekend is a 3-day weekend off. Depending on how your pay week lines up, you usually work 36 hours one week and 48 the next.

What is the DuPont schedule?
A 28-day rotating cycle for four teams: 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, then 7 days off in a row. It averages 42 hours a week. The long break is popular, but switching between days and nights is hard on sleep.

Which 12-hour schedule gives every other weekend off?
Pitman (2-2-3), started on a Monday, gives a 3-day weekend off every other week. For a 36-hour week, the "3×12 with every other weekend off" option in this generator works one weekend, then has the next one off.

Will a 12-hour rotation give me overtime?
In the US, overtime under the FLSA is usually counted per 7-day pay week. Patterns that average 42 hours, like Pitman, DuPont or 4 on 4 off, often put you over 40 hours in some weeks and under in others. Set your pay week start day above to see how many overtime hours a year your pattern creates. Some hospitals use the 8/80 system instead, and union contracts may differ.

How are night shifts that cross midnight counted?
In this generator, each shift is counted on the day it starts — the same way most schedules and the Nursly app show it. A Friday night shift therefore counts as a Friday shift, even though you finish on Saturday morning.

Can I put this rotation on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Nursly app, open Add Shift → Rotations, build the same cycle of day, night and off days (or pick a preset like 4 on / 4 off or 2 days / 2 nights / 4 off), choose your start date and generate 4, 8 or 12 weeks. Every shift then appears in your calendar with pay, reminders and the shift alarm.