I'm an idiot

ooper3076 · Sep 8, 2007

Hi!! I was orientated on night shift and I hated it. It was my first CNA job. I went crying and told the staff coordinator that I quit (that's who hired me) and she tried me on second shift (2-10). It is so much better. Now I pick up night shift for the overtime. My preference is to work 2pm till 6am (a double shift). Its easier for me to stay up rather than get up in the morning. I have pulled 3 doubles in a row. That was rough!!!

I wouldn't feel bad. Just be straight with the DON. I would tell the DON whats going with your other job. My facility actually requires us to tell them if we have another job or seeking a 2nd job.

I really wouldn't say that 3rd shift is less stressful. It can be. It really depends on the residents and what time of the month it is. At my facility if its a full moon, strange things happen and makes me want to pull my hair. I hope this helps you. Good luck!! You'll figure it out. Don't do anything that you don't want to do.

mrsraisinkain · Sep 8, 2007

My opinion is - try out night shift first. It works for a lot of people. My own experience working 3rd was not so good, but it was a little different. I worked 7 on - 7 off as a pharmacy technician for a company that supplied meds to nursing homes. I worked 80 hours in one week, I think from about 7 in the evening until about 5 or 6 in the morning. After a couple of weeks of this, I was feeling so weak and tired all the time. I was constantly very nauseous, and actually vomiting at least once a day, usually more. And, oh boy, I couldn't stop crying. I would call my boyfriend before I had to be at working, bawling. I would call him from work, bawling. Finally I quit the job and a couple of weeks later found out I was pregnant! That would explaining the vomiting and tears! Sorry, not that my story is in any way related to your question. I'm kind of tired and tend to ramble.

So, anyway, after I quit that job my boss called me a few days later and said that if I had told her I was having so much trouble adjusting to the 3rd shift schedule she would have found me another shift because she valued me as an employee. By that time I had already found another job, but the point is if you are a good employee your bosses will usually be very accomodating to your needs.

If you volunteered on your application to work night shift your boss is going to jump on that because (I think) that is the hardest shift to fill but it doesn't mean that's the only thing you can work for them.

Geez, does any of this make sense? Time for me to go to bed before I hurt myself trying to think anymore :)

DreamyEyes · Sep 8, 2007

Thank you girls. I think I'm going to try night shift out...:uhoh21: if I have a really hard time adjusting, hopefully they'll put me on another shift.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2007

I would not mention that I have another position elsewhere. Most facilities feel that you owe them an obligation, and may not be that willing to accomodate a newcomer. Just my opinion based on things I have witnessed over time. Also, some are offended that one would mention that they have a second job. I would just say that after thinking about it, you find that you are more of a morning person, and because of that, you may be more of a service to your patients. If they don't budge, then, consider trying it. You never know...sometimes we get unexpected blessings.

DreamyEyes · Sep 9, 2007

Thanks pagandeva....Well the DON already knows I have another job right now, because of my application, but I told her on the phone that I'm planning on giving my 2 weeks there anyway. (I don't think I could work 2 full time jobs! I'd go nuts.)