keep smiling

CNA's in Long Term Care- Where would we be without people like you? I have been a long term care nurse for over 25 years, prior to that I was a nursing assistant while I went to nursing school. Maybe that's the difference, I know from experience how hard your job is. You are right the patients/residents don't care about our titles we are all supposed to be there to lend a hand. I can tell you when I have conscientious CNA's my shift goes so much smoother. I get less complaints from resident, we have fewer falls and accidents and resident and staff morale is up. I wish there was something more I could do to support the CNA's where I work...every shift I thank them and tell them how much they are appreciated.

Re: Working night shift with kids- That's the main reason why I started working night shift 17 years ago. I wanted to be able to spend more time with my children. As a result if my child was sick, I was able to be home all day, schedule Drs. visits etc. Class field trips and activities I was able to join in with my child. Summertime, school vacations and holidays I was able to to enjoy it with my family. The downside; I have learned to sleep in naps, which is probably not a healthy thing. But the night shift has allowed me to spend more quality time with my family and earn an income at the same time. :)

working the night shift- i have worked 11pm-730am for the past 17 years. i can tell you that it is anything but boring. there are usually plenty of meds to be given, treatments to be done and let's not forget the charting involved. generally staffing ratios are less at night which means that a lot of my time is spent helping out on the floor, answering call lights, emptying bed pans etc. also in general the elderly require less sleep and many of them do not sleep for long periods at night. believe me you won't get bored! b :)