CNA's: What's your favorite shift?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hello CNA's!

I will be getting certified as a nursing assistant this summer, and was just wondering: What shift do you work? 7-3, 3-11, or 11-7? Does your schedule differ or do you always stick with one shift everyday? I would really like to work 7-3, but I heard it's hard for new CNA's because it can get pretty stressful during 1st shift. My friend has been a CNA for 2 years now and she works the 2nd shift, and loves it. For those of you who work the 2nd shift, do you still find time for your significant other/friends/and family even though you get out 11 pm every shift?

P.S. - I'll be working full time when I first start, since I won't be going back to school until Fall '08. Any info about your shift would be appreciated, sorry for so many questions. :lol2:

Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

I work 3-11 at an assisted living facility and I love it!! No bosses, I just complete my work and when I am done I sit down and watch TV/Read/Do homework. I have a LOT of down time, generally 3-4 hours. I have worked a few 11-7 and that was torture! Talk about down time (in assisted living)! There was nothing to do until around 4am and it was SO hard to stay awake. I worked a 7-3 once and I hated it. I am NOT a morning person and was not ready to be functioning at that dreadful hour of the day! Just my opinions and experiences!! Good luck in your CNA adventures!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I worked a 3-11 last night, and I hated it. I was thrown all off (emptying Foleys as soon as I got there, rather than before I leave? Picking up dinner trays?). I love my 7p-7a, and let me tell you, in a hospital, there's hardly EVER dead time at night.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Thanks for all the replies. :) I think I'm going to try and work either 7-3 or 3-11...hopefully a mix of both, like my friend is doing now at a nursing home. I'm a morning person, so it shouldn't be a problem for me to work 7-3...I also can't stand being bored, I like being constantly busy and a little stressed out! So I think I'll like the morning shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked all shifts and my favorite is 7-3!!

I'm lucky that I'm not doing 12hr shifts anymore; just too stressful and took all of my remaining days off to actually catch back up to feeling good enough to back in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It might sound crazy but I love working 2nd shift. Plus most places pay more for 2nd shift. I can't imagine being up and active at 7am or working 3rd(which I have done both). I still have time before work to take care of errands and after work I have time for friends(most are night owls anyway)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not a morning person, believe me swing is way beeter then morning but knock is even better then swing, that is if you like to be board out of your mind. me I like swing the most because it can be calm or it can be hectic. I work 6am-6pm & 4 hour break between and work 10pm to 3am, i like all the over time and staying up late, keeps me out of trouble while im at work cause I i only have enough time to sleep and work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked all three shifts and my favorite is by far NOC shift. I sleep before I go into work and after I get home from work. So it really isn't that bad. The shift that I hate the most is AM's...PM was the most laid back shift for me....NOC shift is nice because you still get to do things in the morning and evenings, and when everyone is asleep you're at work.....plus I like the people that I work with at night.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ive worked 2nd and 3rd shift and BOTH shifts have their ups and downs. 2nd shift, you have to be into work for 3pm which isn't so bad because you still got SOME of the day to do what you need to do. The work load isn't as bad as 1st shift, you get out at 11pm and there's still time to hang out with your b/f, g/f, friends on the weekends..etc. IF you're like me..you're WIRED when you get out of work and can't fall asleep at a decent hour. When I worked 2nd shift i'd get out of work and fall asleep at 3, 4, 5am and wake up at 2 the next day so the whole day would be killed. As for 3rd shift...it is VERY laid back. No bosses, not as much hard work, easier on the back, everyone is sleeping. BUT, if you have a hard time sleeping during the day..then you're doomed. I feel like I have to rearrange my schedual around sleep not that I work 3rd shift. It's a better shift in the summer though because I have my days to go to the beach, go to parties and cookouts..etc. Also, I make more money working 3rd shift with my shift diff. I like both shifts and I can't say which one I like more or less.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Right now I work weekend option 7a -7p. But the shift I truly love is 11p-7a. I'm a night owl and have no problems staying awake. I hate day shift. Too many people up your butt about everything. I hate 3-11 so much that I refuse to work it. I think it has to do with coworkers more than the time. The other aide on 3-11 will clock in and disappear for hours. Found her one time in the basement reading a magazine. So while I'm on the floor and she's in the basement, I get to take care of her pts and mine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

nocs [11-7] is my favorite.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.

Night Shift! More money (differentials) and usually more calm. Generally there is fewer staff and more patients, but they should be asleep, so no showers, meals, doctors, visitors, tests, etc. There are always the exceptions, and we still must provide nightime care and change beds when necessary but I have worked days and nights and nights are by far the best for me. This is in a hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hello I work 3pm to 1130pm its ok but im trying to get on the 7 am to 3pm its the busiest but i get bored so i like the fast atmosphere and also times go by really fast!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment