CNA's: What's your favorite shift?

Miwila · Nov 4, 2008

This is my first nursing home job, and I work 3-11. We have less staff and have to deal with sundowning residents,but there's less to do since most people are in bed by the end of the shift and there's only one meal. At every other job I've had I liked working 1st shift better, since I'm a morning person and I like to get work out of the way, but so far I'm liking 3-11 just fine here.
I could never work nights. It must be horribly boring, and all our night shifters seem to dislike the residents... probably why they work nights in the 1st place.

That's a rather rude assumption to make. I work nights and I happen to love the residents I take care off.

yousoldtheworld · Nov 4, 2008

I could never work nights. It must be horribly boring, and all our night shifters seem to dislike the residents... probably why they work nights in the 1st place.

I don't find that to be true at all. I work nights, and I love the residents. The others I've worked with at night have all been good CNAs and good people, too. IT's not boring - if you think those patients sleep all night, you're very wrong. In fact, one of the nice things about working nights is that you get more 1 on 1 time with the patients. I often have time to actually talk to them for a while if they wake up, and I have a lot more time to get the night owls ready for bed. Aside from that, there are other tasks that we have to do such as cleaning and getting things ready for dayshift.

I have worked all 3 shifts, and none of them are implicitly "easy" by their own right. I will say that I have seen PLENTY of day and evening shift people who seemed to hate their jobs - I don't think it has anything to do with the shift you work. Most people I know who have chosen to work nights do it either because they are night owls or because it fits best with their schedules or families. If you don't like nights, that's fine - everyone is different, but PLEASE refrain from making rude blanket statements about people who have different preferences from you.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Nov 6, 2008

I'm sorry if it came off like I thought all night-shifters sucked. Where I work, a lot of the night people seem totally annoyed when someone is awake, and most of them roll their eyes constantly throughout report. They have nothing nice to say about any of the residents.

Miwila · Nov 6, 2008

I'm sorry if it came off like I thought all night-shifters sucked. Where I work, a lot of the night people seem totally annoyed when someone is awake, and most of them roll their eyes constantly throughout report. They have nothing nice to say about any of the residents.

Its sad that CNA's like that are even allowed to continue working in healthcare. I have elderly parents and although I work in an LTC facility where most of my co-workers have a healthy attitude towards their patients, I have just heard too many stories about how CNA's act in other places to ever consider placing my parents in one.

yousoldtheworld · Nov 6, 2008

I think a lot of times that occurs when CNAs get burned out. The only job where I dealt with hateful night shifters was at a hospital, and those night shifters were long time CNAs. It seemed like they got burned out so they switched to night shift instead of looking for a new job.

It's too bad those at your facility are like that. There are plenty of us out there who still love our jobs! :)

HCRkam · Dec 23, 2008

I work 7-3 it is kind of stressful but once you get the hang of things then its not so bad. Like your day flies by so fast and yes you have the big bosses but where i work they actually help you. I worked 3-11 but i hated it because i never had a life and 11-7 i cant stay up worth crap. so my opinion is 7-3. I love it!

carolg · Dec 30, 2008

I was hired for noc shift and i love it. I can sleep when my family is busy with school and work. I get to spend evenings with them. Our facility is very busy, time goes by fast, and we don't always get a break. On the "slow" nights we get to have a couple short breaks. I think I am going to try days because it is hard to find time to socialize or take care of my own needs. It is either work or family and I need a break from taking care of everyone. Good luck.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Dec 30, 2008

At my facility you get hired on 2nd and have to go on a waiting list for 1st. I was going to get on the list right away because it's hard to have a life on 3-11 and I hate how you always end up sleeping till 10 every day. I feel my healthiest when I get up early and see some sun. But I like a lot of the people I work with and there are so many bigwigs around during the day shift. Plus I go to school and since making the switch is never for a definite date I need to keep the same schedule for my classes.

I would never even consider 3rd shift. I couldn't sleep during the day without getting depressed.

mochabean · Dec 31, 2008

I like working 7-3:30.

lisa89 · Dec 31, 2008

I enjoy working Days (7-3:30 pm) and my other 12 hours 2x a week (7pm-7:30am)

Lisa=)

sonomala · Dec 31, 2008

I'm newly cert and I'm looking for a nights job. As far as I can tell its only really insane for about two or so hours, the rest is quiet time where if a resident is awake you get more time then if you've got 6 up and all needing something plus two meals. Plus it means I'm available for all my kids activities which is nice.

trauma_queen2010 · Jan 1, 2009

Well I work 7p-7a in the ER and I absolutely love it. I only work three days a week which right now is wed, friday, sat. I am a single mom but my mom keeps my my daughter for me during the day sat and sun so I can sleep. I still have a life and am also going to school for nursing. I like my scedule because I work the nights before my days off of school so the two dont interfere with one another. and for the record I am never bored at night. We keep busy pretty much 24/7 in the er so even on night the time flys.