Is there CNA overnight work in Home Health?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi all,

I'm just starting CNA work at an LTC soon. I will be attending full time college classes this year- finishing up some health science courses before applying as a junior to a BSN program.

The plan right now will be working three eight hour shifts over the weekend, and doing classes Mon - Thurs mornings and/or afternoons.

I used to have a friend who was a CNA long ago; and the comparisons she gave me then still come to mind. She had worked for one year in a nursing home, and then one more year at a smallish community hospital while attending college for her BSN.

Later she started in an agency doing Hospice and other per diem home health care and she was so rejuvenated! She finished her BSN while working almost full time doing that. She primarily worked with two different patients each week.

I was wondering if after I work at this nursing home for a year or so, would it be possible to get overnight shifts for Home Health Care as a CNA? Anyone have experience and/or comparisons they would be willing to share of working at individual clients' homes for overnights?

My dh is a little concerned about the 'safety' factor - just as far as unknown neighborhoods, and also access from family members coming and going etc. I am not as worried about that, but I should probably consider it heh. We live in a fairly smallish town (*maybe 35,000 population); some crime of course but nothing like in larger cities.

Thanks if anyone has some tips or info to share!

There are usually plenty of home care agencies that will love you wanting over night shifts, and I am sure there will be plenty of clients needing it. They are probably the hardest shifts to get CNAs for. There is always sometimes the fear of safty overnight, but not any different really then your own home. The house will be locked up I'm sure, and you are right there at the house so it is unlikely you will run into trouble going to and from your car.

I think most agencies also look really well on all the aspects such as others in the household extra and if they think anything is so dangerous that they would fear their CNA's lives I am sure they would either not take the case, or make sure there are changes made before you would start to work for them. Also you always have the option of not working for the client or in a particular enviroment if you are not comfortable with it. Simply call the agency and explain why you won't be taking this case, and many times the agency will not have a problem with it

Have not run across any cases where a CNA worked during the night shift, even in the very large metropolitan area where I now reside. Continuous care hospice would be the most likely place to find this type of shift, but keep in mind the short term nature of continuous care hospice. I would start my job search with hospice agencies. You also will most likely be able to establish a work schedule that included the weekend or set weekdays (Friday comes to mind) that you are not attending school. As for safety, you need to employ safe practices at all times. Take care of yourself. You have the right to refuse to go to areas that you do not want to travel in at night. If something happens during your visit, you have the right to make reports to the police, and request off the case. If you feel uncomfortable, speak up, and ask for a different case. That is a given in any aspect of home health.

Specializes in Long term care.

When I worked in home care, there was always a demand for overnight shifts. Some where 12 hr shifts overnight.

When a fellow CNA worked 3rd shift (I worked 2nd for the same client), she reported that this particular client was awake off and on during the shift. The CNA was required to be awake the entire shift, but I know of shifts where they were able to sleep but be available (sleep & awake times were different pay).

Like others have said here, the clients homes are usually visited first by a nurse or social worker and if they feel it is not safe (family memebers or whatever) they will not send a CNA. You can also choose not to work that assignment...that is the beauty of home care, the ability to accept or refuse an assignment.

I have told the homecare agency which areas of town that I would not go into.

I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable in a client's home.

missing you just reminded me of something else. Will you be able to stay awake for a 8 to 12 hour shift on 3rd? Some agencies like the one I work for does not allow the CNAs to go to sleep. Not even if it is ok with the client. It is simply a rule at our agency. Many times CNAs say their clients tell them its ok just sleep but it is a big no no.

Specializes in hospice.

I've seen home care agencies post job ads for overnight shifts in my area, and I've worked overnight private duty shifts through my own hospice employer. They're out there, keep looking.

Wow, thanks everyone for the info.

mvm2 -- I would be fine with staying awake all night. I'm a night owl anyhow, I love working nocs, and that is the shift I'm working at the new job in the LTC, so wouldn't be any difference. Though depending on the client, I might hope to be able to get a little studying in, after or in between care duties and any household stuff I would be expected to do etc. I will definitely keep all this in mind after I get more experience. I'm also not sure if there would be a huge difference with the pay rate. I'll see after I do some more research for my area.

Thanks again!

Yes I believe there will be plenty of times you are able to study while taking care of clients on 3rd. It really depends on how the client like it. Some want you to do a few chores, but they are usually limied being they have to not be able to disturb them while their sleeping. But I think the majority of clients like it really quite, or keeping tvs low so they can not hear it which sometimes is not hard with clients not having their hearing aides in at night. :)

Where there is caregiving, it is likely there is a NOC shift.

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