CNA first day by myself

2nd shift is a little different everywhere - especially in a hospital. Every unit is a lot different.

But in general, you will help with dinner (if you have any patients who need to be fed). You might help people get showers, if people on your unit shower...sometimes in the hospital, patients aren't showered, either due to being there short term, or due to things like dressings, picc lines, etc.

You'll help those who need it with toileting, and make sure you keep track of everyone's intake and output.

You'll help them get washed up and ready for bed. You'll pass snacks. You'll probably do vitals at some point in your shift. You'll make sure laundry and trash go where they need to go. You'll do your charting.

And you'll answer probably a BILLION call lights.

Really, 2nd shift is a lot like dayshift in reverse, lol.

First, a minor rant: I hate places that make you do your orientation on day shift. Day shift is a very hard shift, and I love the day shift aides who can pull it off. BUT, what if you(the new hire) are NOT WORKING on day shift? Shouldn't you, I don't know...DO YOUR ORIENTATION ON YOUR RESPECTIVE SHIFT? Ugh..with that being said,when I worked in LTC, I only did 2 shifts on 3-11, but they went a little like this: get report, take vital signs & change the residents before dinner, then get them down to the dining room(for those who go) or get those who eat in their room, set up. Then pass out the meal trays to your residents, assist those who need feeding. Collect trays, then start on giving showers to those who get PM showers. Next, get your residents ready for bed, provide HS care. Chart & take a break. Then do your final rounds.

First, a minor rant: I hate places that make you do your orientation on day shift. Day shift is a very hard shift, and I love the day shift aides who can pull it off. BUT, what if you(the new hire) are NOT WORKING on day shift? Shouldn't you, I don't know...DO YOUR ORIENTATION ON YOUR RESPECTIVE SHIFT? Ugh..with that being said,when I worked in LTC, I only did 2 shifts on 3-11, but they went a little like this: get report, take vital signs & change the residents before dinner, then get them down to the dining room(for those who go) or get those who eat in their room, set up. Then pass out the meal trays to your residents, assist those who need feeding. Collect trays, then start on giving showers to those who get PM showers. Next, get your residents ready for bed, provide HS care. Chart & take a break. Then do your final rounds.

seems like a very slow night

seems like a very slow night

It's different at every facility, but at mine, you rarely have a moment of downtime on 2nd shift. Getting 12-15 total care residents washed, dressed, and to bed isn't as easy as it sounds.

The hospital might be a different story...but to be honest I found dayshift at the hospital to be the easiest. There were lots of people around doing tests, therapy, etc. and a lot of the residents were occupied once you had them awake for the day.