Second Shift CNAs (3-11) I have a question

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Apr 2, 2009

You have to get a lot of people up during first rounds because most of them are napping when you come in. A lot of them will be just getting back from an activity at this time too. You also take people for walks, do vitals, weights, water pitchers; stuff like that.

After supper you put everyone to bed, but you don't just change them into nightgowns. Everyone gets a partial bed bath at the same time. We have just as many showers as 7-3 does. You pass out 7pm snacks. Usually around 9 or 9:30 you finish all your HS care, do your last set of rounds at 10, and the rest of the night is paperwork, call lights, and chores.

Ling07 · Apr 2, 2009

You have to get a lot of people up during first rounds because most of them are napping when you come in. A lot of them will be just getting back from an activity at this time too. You also take people for walks, do vitals, weights, water pitchers; stuff like that.
After supper you put everyone to bed, but you don't just change them into nightgowns. Everyone gets a partial bed bath at the same time. We have just as many showers as 7-3 does. You pass out 7pm snacks. Usually around 9 or 9:30 you finish all your HS care, do your last set of rounds at 10, and the rest of the night is paperwork, call lights, and chores.

Thank you for responding. I didn't know they get a partial bed bath before bed. Wow, ok.

yousoldtheworld · Apr 3, 2009

Yep, the places I've worked 2nds at have been just like fuzzywuzzy described.

I think 2nd shift is the hardest shift (and yes, I have worked days), but the benefit of it is that you're so busy that the shift goes by quickly. The biggest challenge is that everyone tends to want to go to bed at the same time, and it can be hard to balance showers with people who expect to be put to bed first thing after dinner. I always tried to get my showers done as early in the shift as possible.

rickets · Apr 3, 2009

I love PM shift. All the bosses go home.. :up:

Get people up for dinner and change the people who eat in bed.

I can be done in an hour. Then feed them put them to bed. Do 2 showers or none for that day.

Then chart and pass out nourishments/snacks around 7pm and chill and answer call lights.

Then start last round at 9:45pm.

RespiratoryGirl011 · Apr 5, 2009

I work second shift from 2-10 and I love it. I was never interested in morning shift because I am NOT a morning person. The only downside is it can be hard to make time for a social life working seconds, but the way my facility has it set up you only work two weekends a month.

After report, the first thing I do is pass out linens and/or water. Where I work, one hall does linen, one does water. Then there is a little down time where I just answer call lights, talk with the residents (although most are at an activity at this time), or do odd chores (i.e. - last night we had to move a patient to a different room due to insurance stuff). Dinner is at 5, so I usually start getting people ready at 330 or 4. Almost all of the residents on my hall need to have their briefs changed. Also need to comb their hair before they leave their room. During dinner you help pass out food then help feed. After dinner some residents go to activities, some like to go right to bed. We usually have a few showers. After this all that needs to be done is pass snacks, chart(ours is done on computer), take out trash, make sure shower room is clean, and do bed check right before you leave. It sounds like a lot, but there is usually some downtime right before you get residents up for dinner and right after they go back to bed - this is when I take my dinner break and then still have some spare time. From what I have heard, things are not as rushed as they are on day shift. This is good for me because I am a new CNA and am still slow sometimes.

systoly · Apr 6, 2009

Second shift also gets to deal with sundowners.

azcna · Apr 8, 2009

Lol. We really don't do all that much. Just feed, change, and nightgowns.

My apologies, that was extremely sarcastic. We get everyone up from naps, toilet everyone, take vitals, get them down to activities/dinner. Feed, pass trays, clean up, toilet, showers, get everyone ready for bed: pajamas, teeth, clean-up, bathroom, lotion, etc. Then we do rounds. It's actually quite busy.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 8, 2009

Come join me and my CNAs on a 3-11 some evening and you'll see how laid-back and calm it is.

NOT.

'Nuff said!