Shift Change!

Serendipity, PCT · Feb 15, 2009

Was it really that bad? I was considering doing graveyard when I receive my certification..

yousoldtheworld · Feb 15, 2009

Congrats!

To SerendipityWomYn, it just depends. I have worked all 3 shifts, and I like 3rds the best. However, if you are naturally a morning person, you might hate 3rds. Similarly, I am a night owl, and days was hard for me because I could never go to sleep early enough to feel rested. It varies so much by person. Adjusting to thirds is a matter of keeping your schedule consistent (for example, trying to sleep the same time every day whether you work or not, at least until your body is adjusted to third shift.)

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 16, 2009

I've been thinking about putting in for day shift. I'm very much a morning person and was planning on asking for it right away, but I've gotten attached to my 3-11 coworkers and routine.

Anubis · Feb 17, 2009

I've only been on the job as a CNA for a little over a month, and work 2nd shift (2-10). It's okay, get the residents after they've had lunch, before dinner, and then afterward just have to put them to bed. Third shift seems like they have the best deal, the residents are in bed already and they leave just before they get up, so they don't have to get them dressed. They just have to answer the occasional call light for a snack, toileting or a briefs change. It would sure be nice if they could take the initiative to restock briefs and stuff, but even if they don't, they still make the same money.

But if you can't adjust to it, no harm in that, nursing needs all shifts!

yousoldtheworld · Feb 17, 2009

Third shift seems like they have the best deal, the residents are in bed already and they leave just before they get up, so they don't have to get them dressed. They just have to answer the occasional call light for a snack, toileting or a briefs change. It would sure be nice if they could take the initiative to restock briefs and stuff, but even if they don't, they still make the same money.

That isn't always the case. At all the facilities I've worked at, 3rd shift has to get up anywhere from 3 -6 people in the morning. There are often several residents still up for us to put to bed, as well. Also, it's not answering occasional call lights...there are regular bed checks every 2 hours where everyone must be changed or toileted. Not to mention that most of these people do NOT sleep as much as you'd expect. We have to stock, it's not an initiative thing, and we also have cleaning tasks to do. So, that might be the case at your facility, but it is NOT the norm.