Med Pass 3-11 shift

MouseMichelle · Mar 28, 2011

quite a bit, you'll get the hang of it eventually you'll know exactly what meds need to be given out, hang in there and good luck

Dalla · Mar 28, 2011

You have 2 med passes, usually. One is right before supper and the other before bedtime. I always started mine at about 4 pm and then at about 7 pm. They usually took about 2-2.5 hours if things went okay. Of course, there are nights when you have an admit, someone has chest pains and needs to be sent out, and someone will be very "needy" and be on the call light every 10 minutes!

jesuslovesme · Mar 28, 2011

Thank you for replying. I am so nervous, I really wanted to work 7-3 shift so I could spend time with my familly but it was not available. I heard the 3-11 shift is really hard for a new grad. I would get the new admits etc.

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 28, 2011

You have 2 med passes, usually. One is right before supper and the other before bedtime. I always started mine at about 4 pm and then at about 7 pm. They usually took about 2-2.5 hours if things went okay. Of course, there are nights when you have an admit, someone has chest pains and needs to be sent out, and someone will be very "needy" and be on the call light every 10 minutes!

LTC would be top job if not for med passes. Meds passed to 30 or more patients at least twice in 3-11 shift are so tedious. But I personally think many of the meds given are silly. If they made them prn I could agree but some of these vitamin mixtures and meds to make them eat when they ARE eating, etc... are overkill.. No wonder some older patients can not function, first they get med then next day new med for side effects of first med, then day 3 another med for side effects of med 2.......... This really does happen. I was always one to suggest a med holiday when DR's asked for suggestion/report. Sorry just had to vent there...:)

3-11 will never bore you or will you have time to waste, but the time flies. And you will learn time management whether you want to or not!!

jesuslovesme · Mar 28, 2011

thank you nlmoore

glad to know the time flies by.

anjule18 · Mar 28, 2011

I work in LTC dayshift. It is much better for a new grad to learn the floor on 3-11 than dayshift. I did work 3-11 as well.. The med pass on dayshift, especially the morning is the heaviest med pass of the day. On top of that all the bosses are in the building. I'm sure you will get dayshift in time. It is tough to be a new nurse but 3-11 is much more laxed. The problems with patients would be more with sundowners and behaviors. It helps to have a good repore with your aides. They could make your night great or bad. I do love my aides!:) Good luck!!!:)

ibegyourpardon · Mar 28, 2011

I just started working as a nurse a few months ago in LTC 3-11 shift. I've done a few day shifts as well and what the others have said is true. While the evening is 2 big med passes, the breakfast pass is usually the largest & most involved of the day. In the morning you also deal with more paperwork, calls being returned, visitors, bosses in the building, etc. The evening shift is a good one to get the hang of the whole med pass process and get comfortable making/receiving calls & unexpected things that happen on the job. Good Luck :)

jesuslovesme · Mar 28, 2011

anjule18

thanks. maybe with time the 7-3 shift will become available. by that time hopefully my skills would have improved. what do you think of the 11-7 shift?

jesuslovesme · Mar 28, 2011

ibegyourpardon

thank you for the well wishes. i will be working on a skilled rehab unit. my resident load is 20 i was told by the don but after reading other posts here, you could have more residents to care for that they don't tell you about.

abbyann · Mar 28, 2011

11-7 is hard. Usually you would be the only nurse for 50 or 60 residents. A lot can happen at night, residents awake, wandering around and ultra confused. You are responsible for early am blood draws, chart checks, at least one med pass. The worst falls in our facility were all on the 11-7 shift.

I have only worked in LTC for 3 months. I quit for an office job paying $4 less per hour. It was a horrendous experience.

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 28, 2011

Most places only have one RN on 11-7.. that requires more experience and skills and patience of a saint! No.. all nursing requires that.. but 11-7 maybe a tad more.

Most 11-7 have told me they feel like the "'red-headed step child". Unless manager cares they do not see 11-7 until there is a problem.