Question about 3rd shift?

yousoldtheworld · Sep 15, 2010

Yep, very normal. I liked 3rd shift a lot - though, they won't all be sleeping. You'll probably still have plenty of call lights to answer. It is a lot more laid back than the other shifts, though, and it'll be good for you as a new aide to have that extra time to get comfortable caring for residents.

DreamyEyes · Sep 15, 2010

Yes, that's normal. At my facility, there are usually 3 aides on the 11-7 shift. Each aide has about 8 residents to change q2hours. All of the other residents are continent and fairly independent.

yousoldtheworld · Sep 15, 2010

I work 2nds now, but at my facility, they are all total care, so each 3rd shift aide has a wing to themselves, which is approximately 20 residents to check and change. So it just depends on your facility. Most regular nursing homes have at least some continent/independent residents.

As far as the getup goes, I used to get up 2 residents at one job, and I had to get up 8 at another. The worst part about it is just the rush at the end of your shift.

Good luck!

mommyof2nc · Sep 15, 2010

Ok, thanks for the replies! I'm planning on trying to get into a nursing program soon, so hopefully this job will be a good fit so I can go to school during the week and not have to worry about running back and forth between school, home and job.

blue cna · Sep 30, 2010

its not what you think, its not easy. 20 patients to yourself, call lights going off, bed alarms going off from people with dementia trying to get up, people up and wandering, talking, being loud (if its on a dementia unit), trying to get everyone changed every 2 hrs, passing linens, passing waters, getting your charting done, then trying to get people up in the morning, washed and toileted.

mommyof2nc · Sep 30, 2010

Yeah, I don't expect it to be easy - especially since I'm totally new to this field. I've always worked in office/desk jobs and have always wanted to go to nursing school. Once both of my kids started school, I decided that now is the time to really get serious about it.

We do have an Alzheimer's unit in our facility and I will have to rotate through the different units for awhile, until I've been trained on everything, so I'm sure some units are more difficult than others. My first night of actual work is tomorrow, so I'll know more then, I guess.

One thing I noticed during orientation and the few times I've been in there since then is that most of the staff and residents all seem happy and not stressed at all, so I think that's a good sign that this facility should be a happier place to work than others I've seen. Guess we'll see...

blue cna · Sep 30, 2010

i thought the same thing about the place i did my clinicals, which is where i work now. beware

Ev1987 · Oct 2, 2010

I'm normally assigned 20 residents a shift. Some continent, most not. Make sure everyone stays dry, answer call lights throughout the night. Chart, water pass, get-up's.

caliotter3 · Oct 2, 2010

If the nurses don't tell you to team up with another assistant, do it on your own. When two of you work together to check, clean, and turn residents, you finish both of your assignments faster and have more down time. Do some other tasks during that down time and you will impress the nurses, who will then be more willing to promote a relaxed atmosphere, when they see that you have initiative. Another thing you can do is to combine your breaks and your lunch break into one break to take a nap if you want. As long as the other nursing assistant goes to get you and vice versa, the nurses won't mind. Also, when one or two nursing assistants are on their break, the one left in the unit needs to be diligent about answering the call lights. The nurses don't care as long as call lights are answered, the residents' needs are met, and people come back from break on time. Night shift can be enjoyable if everyone works together.