3-11 shift on telemetry

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 13, 2011

Well its when we typically get the most admits, have the second round of meds, discharge the most people and then try to get people to bed. Can be a very very busy shift.

BrandybunsRN · Sep 14, 2011

Agreed - it can be a very busy shift! Afternoon discharges, afternoon admits that were held half the day, dinner, evening meds, bedtime meds, family (lots of family as they get off work), and getting everyone to bed. BUT!!! You also learn a LOT! And as a new nurse you want to soak up every little bit you can - especially if you want to work in ICU :)

Ahhphoey · Sep 14, 2011

I worked that shift for years in LTC, med-surg, and ICU. It is definitely a challenging shift to work, but I honestly don't think its any more or less difficult than the other shifts. Sure, we usually go the admissions, but that wasn't everyday. And I found it a little easier to organize my end of shift routines (i.e. total I&O, finish documenting, pass out any last minute pain meds or sleepers, etc) because often the patients were tucked in bed and ready to drift off to sleep by about 2130 to 2230, not saying this was always the case of course. But, I'm sure you'll develop you're routine and do just fine. Good luck.

Munch · Sep 14, 2011

Actually where I work(busy urban hospital in Manhattan) The nurses work one of two shifts:7:00am-7:30pm and 7:00pm-7:30am. So honestly both shifts stink. The first shift goes well into the evening and the second shift gets part of the evening grit and goes well into the morning(but if you can stand working overnights, it calms down on the floor around 11pm-midnight...I say calm down because someone ALWAYS wants something but it is a lot quieter because the patients are sleeping). The good thing about those LONG shifts is getting four days off. Now the PCAs(Patient care associates) work those shifts:7A-3:30P, 3P-11:30P and 11p-7:30A.

RNKPCE · Sep 14, 2011

In my opinion the shift is less busy than day shift. Only one meal, not as many patients going for procedures, not as many doctor's writing orders etc. Day shift starts with a bang and never slows down. Evenings generally starts busy and winds downs as an above poster has said. I started tele as a new grad on days, transferred to evening after 3 years and have been there aprox 20 years. I thought I might want to go to ICU but never made that change and at this point never will. Tele patient population and nurse patient ratios differ widely so that will make a difference as well.

squirtcatt · Sep 14, 2011

I would think it probably depends on the hospital you work at, but at the hospital I worked at it was a very busy shift and I know because I did it for the most part of my 10 years there!! Every shift has it's moments and it is what you make of it. For me the worst thing of PM shift is you usually get different patients everyday. The continuity of care is hard to have, which sometimes is an ok thing!!! The great thing about it, is if you are busy the shift flies by and you are done before you know it. Have no fear!!

thekidisback · Sep 15, 2011

Thank you guys for posts! I appreciate it. In my hospital we have 12 hour and 8 hour shifts. I wanted 7p-7a on the tele floor that I'll be working in, but unfortunately they don't need more so I took the part time 8 hr 3-11 shift. Like I said it's the most unwanted shift in my hospital especially for the telemetry floor! We had new grads in the position not lasting a year. That makes me nervous. They all end up transferring somewhere else. The HR person even told me, "it's hard to fill this position because no one wants it" There is currently only one RN working 3-11 on our tele floor and she HATES it! My manager is looking for 1 more 3-11 RN.

tma0312 · Sep 16, 2011

I was told at my job that "3-11 is the worst shift!" mainly for the same reasons posted by the first two posters; however, I have found it to be not the case. Our ratio is 1:3 ( we are stepdown) so the most admissions I can get is three. Not too shabby, considering I was used to alot more!

At my old job, we were 1:5 tele unit and 1:3 with our stepdown pts (combined unit) and I would see all my patients go and get 5 admissions all before 5pm on day shift very frequently. And the acuity level was alot higher than at my current workplace. To me, day shift is the worst. Evenings are fantastic in terms of pace and workload.