Surviving the Swing Shift.

[xxCourt96xx]

I'm a brand new CNA and I got hired in late September as a full time combination dayshift/evening shift employee---and I'm the only one. I even have my own little spot on the schedule, lol :). So for all of October I did dayshift but now evening shifts have started appearing on the schedule for me here and there. Yesterday I was supposed to work 6-2 but someone on evenings got fired and they needed someone to work. Since I'm childless and a lot of the CNA's have kids and it was Halloween I came in and worked 10a-10p.

It went HORRIBLE, to say the least it was me and 2 other CNA's and one of them acted like she'd never been a new CNA before...I was on a set I'd never been on, and her and the other guy were up at the front of the building all night while I was completely by myself in back trying to figure everything out. If I asked for help putting someone to bed I'd get snapped at that they will just get right back up. My only saving graces were the nightshift nurses who helped me with anything I needed. I did the best I could...still though, the NOC shift CNA was not pleased when she got there, to say the least and when I returned to work this morning her and I had a talk...which I appreciated. I promised her I'd do better tomorrow.

But honestly, I already don't like swing shift...after last night it almost makes me want to quit than have to work a shift like that...where I go from dayshift where everyone is friendly and nice and helpful to evenings where I get rolled eyes and not an ounce of help or direction. I have to work it tomorrow and I'm dreading it. Does anyone have any tips for me to survive this shift and like it?