what is the 11-7 shift like(new grad wondering)

I can't answer to the LTC part, but my first Med/Surg position was 11-7. I hated it. Couldn't really accomplish much in the AM before it was time to get ready for work. After work, especially in the winter when it was dark after 7:00, was the same....just didn't feel as if I had time to live my life.

I've always thought, though, that if someone's a night-owl and has an active party life, this would be the shift for them

When I was a new grad, (all of 18 months ago), I started on nights and it was the best decision I could have made. I had the opportunity to hone my assessment skills, charting skills, med passing skills, etc., in a much more relaxed environment. It also gave me the opportunity to gain some confidence in my ablility to practice as a nurse. (Confidence, you will find, will wax and wane periodically, sometimes several times a shift). I have since worked days, but went back to nights just because I like it here. It took about 2 months or so before I felt like I was fully functional on nights, but once I was acclimated it's not been too bad at all. I have 4 children, and have plenty of time in the evening to spend with them. I tend to stay up after work in the morning to run errands, go to the grocery and whatever else I need to do. Congrats on graduating, and the best of luck to you!

I started the 11-7 as a new grad, and it has it's pros and cons. I feel more like a paper pusher, except in the am when we pass the meds and do a quick assessment on patients. I really do not feel like I get alot of experience clinically. But it is a more relaxed environment in which to slowly getted used to nursing without running around like a chicken with your head cut off I have since been offered a 7am-7pm which I probably will except because I can't get enough sleep on night shift. My family and their schedule clash with mine and I can only seem to get 5-6 hours of sleep a day, not enough. Good luck to you as you pursue your career.

When I was a new grad in LTC, I thought the 11-7 shift was the best move for me. I was terrified at all I didn't know and the night shift is much more relaxed than the other shifts. For ME, the nurses on the night shift were nicer and had the TIME to grab me and show me stuff going on with their patients. I wouldn't STAY on 11-7 forever like I did because you really do learn a lot more during the day with everything going on and doctor's calling ect..

I do the 2400, which is not bad. It is the 6am and 6:39am meds that are killer! That is when you are the busiest, yet the most tired. My problem is that I get so worked up from running around, that by the time I get home I am wired and find it hard to get to bed. My kids get home at 3:30, so if I don't sleep right away, you mine as well forget my sleep

You give a lot of levo, prilosec, protonix, (we have a couple of MD's here who thinks every living being needs prilosec or protonix) lasix, some narcs, do fingersticks, cover sliding scales, and some routine insulins. Some residents are early risers, so you may end up giving most of their daily meds at 0600. Also, some are on prn clonindine or other BP meds so you may have a few BP's to get in the AM.

Oops. My reply was geared to the 11 AM to 7 PM shift! Sorry!

with the AM med pass you have to remember some places don't have as many nurses on so even though it might be a small amount of meds it maybe a bigger census,like on other shifts you may have 20-36 residents but on 11-7 you have double or a whole facility depending if its NH or ALF...my ALF during day shift you have an LPN and medtech for 80 residents on the 11-7 you have only 1 LPN and 2 aids....in my NH I have 80 residents with 2 LPN;s or 1 RN and 1 LPN and 5 aids,census can go up to 108 in my NH and not sure in my ASL