showering residents on third shift??

Published

My facility does showers on third shift...any of you heard of such a thing. I think it is crazy. Thoughts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yup, I have heard of it. They do it so all shifts get a somewhat equal amount of showers to do. Some patients like to be up and about early. : )

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My facility does it as well, a few residents like to get up between 5 and 6, and it helps the other shifts out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If the person is someone who tends to be awake at night I don't see a problem. But if you're waking up good sleepers that's appalling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yea..that was my concern...it is not at 5 and 6am.....more like 1 and 2 am.....ugh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Unless the resident is awake and has a life long habit of showering at 1 or 2 am, it is NOT okay to be showering them at that time. And w wonder why there are so many falls and people with behaviors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I've heard of 3rd shift showers but NEVER anytime before 5-6am. And those who are bathed, dressed showered etc are those residents who are awake at that time normally without anyone waking them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Neuro-trauma.

I used to work 3rd shift and all our residents that we were responsible for getting ready in the morning included showers. We had a lady who would shower every morning at 3 am because that's when she always woke up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work NOC shift and we only give a shower if a resident requests. Does your state/facility has a resident bill of rights? I would not be happy if someone had to wake my grandma to give her a bath at 2am, and question even if they are awake most ppl don't take showers then either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Early Intervention, Nsg. Education.

When I worked on a floor with mostly PVS patients, we split the showers evenly between all 3 shifts.

Years ago, my Mom (also an RN) worked on an Alzheimer's floor, and one man could not settle down for the night. Turns out he worked odd shifts in the Navy and 3am was the best time to get him into the shower and settle him for the "night" (he slept like a log until 11am-noon.) His family was grateful that they rescheduled the day to fit "his schedule." He was on the specialized unit because of aggression when they tried to get him up for breakfast at 7:30am on the unlocked unit, so this was a case of going with the flow that ended up benefiting everyone, especially the patient.

Also, when Mom was in a SNF before she passed away, she always showered in the middle of the night since she was awake anyway. (30-something years working 3rd shift as an RN will do that to a person! ;))

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Years and Years ago, we worked at showering residents in the night. I was an aide back then and I finally went to the DON and said this is awful to wake people up. If a person has showered life long at 11 pm or 5 am it is ok as long as it is care planned. Otherwise, the survey team has a citation for you...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our DON started a night shift shower policy in a small facility. The number of night shift showers increased until almost everybody was included. Not one of the residents was an early riser. The CNAs complained that at 4 am they couldn' get it all done in time. What took the cake was the day shift CNA who started coming in early so she could "supervise" the night shift CNAs who were doing her work for her. Other situations ensued; the CNAs started missing work, the nurses, one by one, quit. As far as I know, no one filed any complaints.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion