3-11 shift

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I just got hired at a LTC/Rehab facility as an LPN. People keep steering me away from working this shift and they say it's really hard especially as new grad b/c of new admissions and etc. The ADON said the 11-7 would be easier for me since I'm just starting out. She said if i have any problems working the 3-11 shift she doesn't mind switching me to either one of the two other shifts. So i was just wondering is it really that bad ?

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Where I work the admissions come in the morning shift. I don't work 11 to 7, but it's usually calmer in the evening shift than day. I can usually get out at time with the 3 to 11 shift. It seems there's a decent amount of things to do on night shift because a lot of times they run over their time. It might be different at your facility though. Good luck.

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At my facility 3-11 gets crushed. We get all the admissions, have two med passes, no unit secretary, less staff, etc. We are lucky to be out by midnight. First shift leaves by 3:05 or they moan and complain.

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When I did LTC 7-15 was the worst, always stayed late (more falls, more tx, admissions ect.) 15-23 was better, had a chance to leave on time if I stayed on top. 23-7 was the best, always got my break rarely stayed late. Every place seems different though. Your manager sounds good as long as she does what she says.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

3-11 shift is usually when the new admissions/re-admits come especially in a rehab floor. I hope you get good training/preceptor. Your ADON sounds likes a good manager. I hope she sticks to her promise that she can transfer you to 11-7 shift if you need it.

Good luck!

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The 3-11 shift is the most stressful shift in my opinion. The 3-11 shift gets all of the admissions at my facility. Sometimes the 3-11 shift is still at work at 3am at my facility still trying to get everything done.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

At the LTC/Rehab facilities where I've previously worked, the 3-11 shift gets slammed with multiple time-consuming admissions. It can be hellish for an inexperienced new grad who lacks a solid foundation.

Most of your admissions come from local hospitals. Hospitals in my area usually wait until right before their day shift ends (6:00pm or 7:00pm) to discharge their patients to LTC rehab. So, LTC rehab gets slammed with new admissions between 5pm and 8pm.

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Thnxx for all the responses. I start training tomorrow but on the 7-3 shift which doesn't make much sense to me since i'll be working 3-11. I think they are going to have me work on the LTC side for the most part but I'm not totally sure yet. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
Thnxx for all the responses. I start training tomorrow but on the 7-3 shift which doesn't make much sense to me since i'll be working 3-11. I think they are going to have me work on the LTC side for the most part but I'm not totally sure yet. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Good luck!

It is nice to see how each shift is. I also did my training on 7-3 shift when I started even though I was for 3-11 shift. I learned how to note doctors' orders and do treatments because those are usually done on 7-3 shift in my facility. Then I learned the admission process on 3-11.

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UPDATE: So Far so good. I've been on orientation/training for about two weeks. Each day I learn something new. My med pass is starting to go a lot smoother and I'm starting to get get my own little routine. I think I might just stay with the 7-3 shift. I did a 12 hour shift (7-3 plus half of 3-11) because a nurse called off the other day with my preceptor and it got a bit crazy. I think it would be too much for me to handle right now. I also think that they're about to take me off orientation but i don't feel like I'm ready to be on my own yet. How long were you guys on orientation/training at your first job out of school ?

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Specializes in Rehab.

I've been working 3-11 for about 4 years, 3 of which I was a CNA, about 1 year of RN experience. Its quite different on my unit. AM shift is busy with getting pt.'s up but they have therapists there to help and doctors are making rounds. Discharges are also done on Am shift but they are super easy. On 3-11 shift, we are responsible for admissions, calling the doc, wound care, transfers, etc...all on top of what AM shift deals with. Baths are also given in the evening on my unit due to therapy being done in the AM. My unit also deals with a lot of confused pt.'s due to strokes, TBI's, encephalopathy, etc. This confusion seems to increase in the evening through the night. Visitors also seem to come after therapies, which ends up to be on 3-11p shift; so dealing with family members and visitors is also sometimes a hassle and takes more time. Night shift is easy, most pt.'s sleep and you do 24 hour chart checks and just read up on your pt, the hardest part of the night shift is drawing labs and waking pt.'s. So in conclusion, 3-11 is definitely the hardest by far on my inpatient rehab unit. With that being said, its also the best shift to be on to learn. I love it, its more fast paced but I could never get the experience I have on any other shift. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Psych, Skilled Nursing.
At my facility 3-11 gets crushed. We get all the admissions have two med passes, no unit secretary, less staff, etc. We are lucky to be out by midnight. First shift leaves by 3:05 or they moan and complain.[/quote']

AMEN!!! My words exactly. I work 3-11 and it's a beast!!

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