Typical 11-7 in LTC?

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The other post regarding a typical day in LTC was so helpful, I thought I'd go ahead and ask. I'm a new grad (new to nursing, that is) and have been somewhat resistant to applying to LTC. Lots of preconceived notions about what LTC is and isn't. Some of those that I've graduated with have had luck landing a 3-11 position. Because I have small children, I'm really not willing to take a 3-11 and give up seeing them. Although I'd consider it on a very limited part time basis. And 7-3's seem to be reserved for the insiders. Sooooo, that leaves me with 11-7, if I'm able to find anything at all. Based on the typical day description, I'm thinking 11-7 would be much different. Anyone?? Thanks in advance for your input.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

This was my first job out of nsg school 4.5 yrs ago - I was in a tight market and it was all I could get at the time. In the meantime i got pregnant and then was scared of working the 12hr hospital shifts w/ a baby. I was working the subacute rehab unit and it was horrible. Thinking back, what was the worst was the hours. I constantly felt i was in the twilight zone.

I have since had 2 other 'night shift' jobs and in every position i see the night shift dumped on - mgmt thinks you have nothing to do and they don't understand what you are really up against.

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I worked night shift for many years. It is beneficial to those who have children at home and cannot find a day job. In LTC it consists mainly of a med pass around midnight. The rest of the night you monitor the residents. I often would do rounds with the CNA's just for something to so. The night nurse prepares the lab paperwork for in the morning. Some facilities have the night nurse prepasre the MARS and TARS for the next month. I did a good bit of chart review as well. Some of the larger treatments were completed at night. I did my charting at 3am before going to lunch at 4am. At about 5:30am I would get ready for the am med pass which includes accuchecks and insulins. At 6:30am the next shift would come in for report.

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Hi..When I did third shift it included two med passes. A very small one at midnight and then another at 6am. More meds and Accuchecks, but still very managable. I would get the labs orders and interagencies ready for the day shift. Change all supplies like tube feedings/syringes and then monitor residents. Very few treatments if any.

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Thank you for your input. I think I'm starting to warm up to the idea. Have any of you started in LTC and gone on to work in a hospital? If so, was the transition difficult? Along with the preconcieved notions, I'm afraid of being 'stuck' there. Overall, I think it would be a good starting/learning place for me but I can't see myself in that environment for a long time. One of the things that attracted me to nursing was the diversity of seeing different people/new things everyday. So while I think it would be a good place to start, seeing the same residents day in and day out for years would surely drive me insane.

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I have started in LTC and stayed here. I do really love it..most of it anyway lol.

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I started in LTC moved up to administration. Then went to acute care after that to case management. I found that the experience I learned in LTC paved the way for my career. You might find it easier to transition. In LTC on night shift you have anywhere from 30-60 residents compared to 10 or so in a hospital. LTC has IV's, trachs, you will find your assessment skills will be very good as you are dealing with many different illnesses. With all the different types of nursing, I have always continued to work PRN in LTC. I find it a nice change.

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