what is the 11-7 shift like(new grad wondering)

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2009

I can't answer to the LTC part, but my first Med/Surg position was 11-7. I hated it. Couldn't really accomplish much in the AM before it was time to get ready for work. After work, especially in the winter when it was dark after 7:00, was the same....just didn't feel as if I had time to live my life.

I've always thought, though, that if someone's a night-owl and has an active party life, this would be the shift for them

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Jun 20, 2009

When I was a new grad, (all of 18 months ago), I started on nights and it was the best decision I could have made. I had the opportunity to hone my assessment skills, charting skills, med passing skills, etc., in a much more relaxed environment. It also gave me the opportunity to gain some confidence in my ablility to practice as a nurse. (Confidence, you will find, will wax and wane periodically, sometimes several times a shift:D). I have since worked days, but went back to nights just because I like it here. It took about 2 months or so before I felt like I was fully functional on nights, but once I was acclimated it's not been too bad at all. I have 4 children, and have plenty of time in the evening to spend with them. I tend to stay up after work in the morning to run errands, go to the grocery and whatever else I need to do. Congrats on graduating, and the best of luck to you!

waitingforthedream · Jun 20, 2009

I started the 11-7 as a new grad, and it has it's pros and cons. I feel more like a paper pusher, except in the am when we pass the meds and do a quick assessment on patients. I really do not feel like I get alot of experience clinically. But it is a more relaxed environment in which to slowly getted used to nursing without running around like a chicken with your head cut off :) I have since been offered a 7am-7pm which I probably will except because I can't get enough sleep on night shift. My family and their schedule clash with mine and I can only seem to get 5-6 hours of sleep a day, not enough. Good luck to you as you pursue your career.

changeofpaceRN · Jun 20, 2009

When I was a new grad in LTC, I thought the 11-7 shift was the best move for me. I was terrified at all I didn't know and the night shift is much more relaxed than the other shifts. For ME, the nurses on the night shift were nicer and had the TIME to grab me and show me stuff going on with their patients. I wouldn't STAY on 11-7 forever like I did because you really do learn a lot more during the day with everything going on and doctor's calling ect..

texasbsn · Jun 20, 2009

thanks for the info Iam concidering a 11-7 in LTC .any one give me info on am med passes.thanks

waitingforthedream · Jun 21, 2009

I do the 2400, which is not bad. It is the 6am and 6:39am meds that are killer! That is when you are the busiest, yet the most tired. My problem is that I get so worked up from running around, that by the time I get home I am wired and find it hard to get to bed. My kids get home at 3:30, so if I don't sleep right away, you mine as well forget my sleep

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Jun 21, 2009

You give a lot of levo, prilosec, protonix, (we have a couple of MD's here who thinks every living being needs prilosec or protonix) lasix, some narcs, do fingersticks, cover sliding scales, and some routine insulins. Some residents are early risers, so you may end up giving most of their daily meds at 0600. Also, some are on prn clonindine or other BP meds so you may have a few BP's to get in the AM.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2009

Oops. My reply was geared to the 11 AM to 7 PM shift! Sorry!

mume2mykidz · Jun 29, 2009

with the AM med pass you have to remember some places don't have as many nurses on so even though it might be a small amount of meds it maybe a bigger census,like on other shifts you may have 20-36 residents but on 11-7 you have double or a whole facility depending if its NH or ALF...my ALF during day shift you have an LPN and medtech for 80 residents on the 11-7 you have only 1 LPN and 2 aids....in my NH I have 80 residents with 2 LPN;s or 1 RN and 1 LPN and 5 aids,census can go up to 108 in my NH and not sure in my ASL

kmarie724 · Jul 7, 2009

Here's what I typically do on a 11-7:30 shift:

Get to work, get report, count narcs, give my CNAs a quick report and all the usual change of shift stuff.

Look through the MARs and tx books and make note of what I have to do. There aren't very many scheduled meds during the noc, but some night I run around like crazy giving PRN. Check if there are any labs to be drawn in the AM and if there are fill out the lab slips and fax them to the lab at the hospital.

Near the beginning of my shift I try to take a quick walk through of the floor and make sure residents with O2 have it on, keep tab alarms are on, mats are on the floor, beds are down, etc.

There is usually a few assessments to do. No routine assessments, but on anyone who is sick or has a change of condition. There also aren't a lot of tx, just a few dressing changes that are TID and some creams/lotions for people that noc shift gets up in the am.

Then there are the little piddly things that I do whenever I get a chance, calibrate the accucheck machines, fill out the midnight census, clean nebulizers masks, check and record the fridge temp, make a list for dietary of what we need from them in the morning (e.g. applesauce, prune pudding, nutrition shakes), clean and stock med carts, cycle charting. Once a week noc shift changes all the O2 tubing.

Around 4 am I fill the portable O2 tanks.

I start my med pass around 5. Sometimes I have to do a skin check on residents who take their bath early before day shift arrives. Usually I do my med pass on one hallway, tape report, and then do the med pass on the other hallway. Once day shift arrives I ask if they have any questions about report, count narcs, make sure I have everything done, and go home and go to sleep.

I like noc shift. There are crazy nights, but most nights I feel like there's enough to do that I stay busy but not so much that I feel overwhelmed. I worked full time noc shift as a CNA for 2 years while I was in nursing school. I would work noc shift still, but I have a 7 month old and it is too hard to take care of the baby after being up all night and I hate to be away from her all night and then send her to daycare all day, so I only work nocs occasionally now.