OMG! Why??!!

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Ok, I'm just gonna vent, I have been working 1st shift for like a week now at my rehab center, and today, I found out that they switched me to 2nd shift. I have pretty much gotten into the swing of things during the morning. I'm not sure how different its gonna be, but I do know its gonna be much slower, being that the pts will get settled in for the night, and nobody going to therapy, and no doctors running around. I just don't wanna be standing around and doing nothing all night. Does anyone have any suggestions on 2nd shift?

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
i doubt that you will be just standing around with nothing to do. different shifts have different priorities outside of an er setting. for example, you may have to audit charts or order tests for the next day, whereas that was not the case on 1st shift. in any case, i think you should ask this same question of your co-workers on 2nd shift to have an accurate picture of what the expectations are for you on that shift in your facility. gl!

the op is a cna so i don't think she will be auditing charts or ordering tests.

op....... there will be a different kind of busy and in some cases family visits are usually on evenings which is a different busy. but there will be toileting and treatments. dinner and snack. you will still have to get them ready for bed and brush their teeth......i think you'll still be busy. but you are right....the brass is absent which can be a blessing. relax...you'll be fine.:up:

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonary Nurse, Telemetry.

I can't speak for rehab, but I know when I worked in a LTC unit as a CNA day shift was definitely crazy busy trying to get all of my residents up, washed, dresses, OOB, showered, etc. Evening shifts are busy, but it's just a different pace. I didn't feel AS pressured.. but you still have responsibilities such as getting all of the residents in their PJs, perform PM care if this is part of their routine, put them to bed and sometimes there would be 1 shower to give in the evenings. Eventually, when you get them all to bed it might slow down a little bit maybe around 9 or 10. But they are still ringing for something to drink, have to go to the bathroom, can't sleep, need the nurse, turn the heat up, dim the lights, etc. So although it's a different pace from dayshift because management isn't around, less people coming and going, people going to bed.. you will still def. be busy. Good luck! Evening shift is nice. I always like it.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I hope you own a pair of good running shoes. You'll have twice as many patients on evening shift with less staff. Family members will be in insisting grandma has a bath before bed every night. As soon as dinner is over 10 little old ladies want to potty at the same time. Everyone wants to go to bed as soon as they potty (at the same time). Once you think you're home free all these pts in bed get anxious and will call non-stop just to keep themselves enertained. See, during the day these rehab pts have rehab to keep their mind busy so now at night when their activity winds down they will keep YOU busy.

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I started off on 2nd shift right out of school in a rehab center it was NEVER slow; 2 med passes, treatments, sundowners and many admits. I never got out on time or had time for dinner. I moved to 1st shift which was also very busy but I got to spend time with my family while they were still awake.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I worked evenings in LTC for 11 years.

I can tell you:

You can put them in bed... but they don't sleep!!

You'll be busy!

:hhmth::hhmth::hhmth:

You can put them in bed... but they don't sleep!! That is one the funniest things I have ever heard!!!!!!!

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Ok, I'm just gonna vent, I have been working 1st shift for like a week now at my rehab center, and today, I found out that they switched me to 2nd shift. I have pretty much gotten into the swing of things during the morning. I'm not sure how different its gonna be, but I do know its gonna be much slower, being that the pts will get settled in for the night, and nobody going to therapy, and no doctors running around. I just don't wanna be standing around and doing nothing all night. Does anyone have any suggestions on 2nd shift?

Personally, I'd be glad to still have a job! It's better than being laid off! :nurse:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

To the person who said they had 10 minutes for a sandwich - lucky you! I did 2 x 10 hour nights shifts, no break & therefore no food, 8 patients -two extremely needy - nearly all post op by 1 or 2 days, peed once if I was lucky, tried to stay hydrated and had 2 sips of a cup of tea on one shift.

No I don't think any nursing shift is boring in any unit! And if it is the poster probably wouldn't like it anyway.

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