What is it like working the overnight shift? Nursing homes? Juggling?

frodo · Mar 16, 2005

I work the 11-7:30 shift for 2 and 1/2 years now, But I am 51 years old, with a husband at home that works second shift. I tried this years ago, whenmy son was 5 and I didn't ever get any sleep. He was in 1/2 day kindergarten, and I had no one to help withbabysitting. so I got too sleep deprived. At my age it is working well. I sleep when I can and with no little ones around, there areno problems. It may work if you have people to help babysit. Best of luck to you!

Nurse Ratched, RN · Mar 16, 2005

The main issue with working in a nursing home on nights means you'll likely get little or no support, training, or orientation. Chances are very good you'll get put on charge duty immediately. These are very rarely good positions for the new grad/inexperienced nurse (and I *love* long term care, but recognize its pitfalls.)

happthearts · Mar 16, 2005

Hi all. I am new to the site. I am trying to figure out what I am doing. :) I was pregnant with my 3rd child at graduation, so I got my license but never went to work. Here I am, almost 2 years post graduation and have never worked as an LPN. My original goal was to become an RN, and I have decided to start back to school this summer to complete the 4 pre-entry classes I need so that I can get into the RN program in fall 2006.
In the meantime, I have been thinking of working part-time to work on skills and confidence. The majority of the openings around here are overnight shifts at nursing homes. What is that like? I have a husband and 3 kids (ages 1, 7 and 11) so I am worried that the overnight shift would totally throw me/us off.
I would rather try for part-time 3 - 11 shift because it would work out best for me and my family, but they just don't come up often for LPNs (part of the reason I want to go on for the RN, there is more opportunity around here) I was thinking about possibly sending out resumes and stating I am seeking part-time 3 - 11 shift and see if I get any response. I guess in a way it feels selfish to try to be picky, because I have no experience. But then again if that would be the shift that I would have the most success being dedicated to at this time in my life, then I think I should try.
I would appreciate hearing thoughts and experiences about working nights, evenings, juggling family and nursing work, gaining experience and confidence! Thanks! Jennifer ~ who is trying to have her cake and eat it too!

I loved nights did it for 15 years many years why My son was growing up Loved the shift differenal also. I was always home durring the day when my son came home from school and could see him off as well to school had more of a family life than on 3-11 since my husband worked days so it was nice to have evenings as a family .

The Down falls

The down fall is learning to stay awake .That more deaths seem to happen at night.

Your hubby will be putting the kids to bed .That's alot of work and would mean no family life if he works days and you work PM's

When I was an aide I worked with an RN charge that was very

in-expereanced and Some night were very Scary because she did not know what to do ,when something bad would come up. Like when we had a full code .where the cart was and how to use it when a PT Fall's how to dertermine a FX of the hip.

As long as you are not charge you should be OK on 11/7 .Since you have only one not in school. I would get grandma to baby sit and get up when your kids come home from school.

jennanlpn · Mar 16, 2005

You have all given me a lot to think about. :)

Sanderslvn · Apr 7, 2005

Hi all. I am new to the site. I am trying to figure out what I am doing. :) I was pregnant with my 3rd child at graduation, so I got my license but never went to work. Here I am, almost 2 years post graduation and have never worked as an LPN. My original goal was to become an RN, and I have decided to start back to school this summer to complete the 4 pre-entry classes I need so that I can get into the RN program in fall 2006.
In the meantime, I have been thinking of working part-time to work on skills and confidence. The majority of the openings around here are overnight shifts at nursing homes. What is that like? I have a husband and 3 kids (ages 1, 7 and 11) so I am worried that the overnight shift would totally throw me/us off.
I would rather try for part-time 3 - 11 shift because it would work out best for me and my family, but they just don't come up often for LPNs (part of the reason I want to go on for the RN, there is more opportunity around here) I was thinking about possibly sending out resumes and stating I am seeking part-time 3 - 11 shift and see if I get any response. I guess in a way it feels selfish to try to be picky, because I have no experience. But then again if that would be the shift that I would have the most success being dedicated to at this time in my life, then I think I should try.
I would appreciate hearing thoughts and experiences about working nights, evenings, juggling family and nursing work, gaining experience and confidence! Thanks! Jennifer ~ who is trying to have her cake and eat it too!

I don't know what state your in, but here in Texas. LVN/LPN's have more flexibilty with their schedule than RN's. Most places here, let LVN/LPN's pick their on schedule. I also have a husband and 3 kids 3,6 and 11. I think that the night shift is a good shift to have, but it depends on if your a morning person or not.

nursescar · Apr 13, 2005

I would love to find out more about what folks mean about nights-see new post! How does it work with your body clock etc????

Hi all. I am new to the site. I am trying to figure out what I am doing. :) I was pregnant with my 3rd child at graduation, so I got my license but never went to work. Here I am, almost 2 years post graduation and have never worked as an LPN. My original goal was to become an RN, and I have decided to start back to school this summer to complete the 4 pre-entry classes I need so that I can get into the RN program in fall 2006.
In the meantime, I have been thinking of working part-time to work on skills and confidence. The majority of the openings around here are overnight shifts at nursing homes. What is that like? I have a husband and 3 kids (ages 1, 7 and 11) so I am worried that the overnight shift would totally throw me/us off.
I would rather try for part-time 3 - 11 shift because it would work out best for me and my family, but they just don't come up often for LPNs (part of the reason I want to go on for the RN, there is more opportunity around here) I was thinking about possibly sending out resumes and stating I am seeking part-time 3 - 11 shift and see if I get any response. I guess in a way it feels selfish to try to be picky, because I have no experience. But then again if that would be the shift that I would have the most success being dedicated to at this time in my life, then I think I should try.
I would appreciate hearing thoughts and experiences about working nights, evenings, juggling family and nursing work, gaining experience and confidence! Thanks! Jennifer ~ who is trying to have her cake and eat it too!

nursescar · Apr 13, 2005

body clock and nights? I tried to reply to a post-not sure what is showing up- would love to talk to someone about night shift......

nursescar · Apr 13, 2005

I work the 11-7:30 shift for 2 and 1/2 years now, But I am 51 years old, with a husband at home that works second shift. I tried this years ago, whenmy son was 5 and I didn't ever get any sleep. He was in 1/2 day kindergarten, and I had no one to help withbabysitting. so I got too sleep deprived. At my age it is working well. I sleep when I can and with no little ones around, there areno problems. It may work if you have people to help babysit. Best of luck to you!

so how does one change to nights?

PBAJS · Apr 13, 2005

" I was pregnant with my 3rd child at graduation, so I got my license but never went to work. ... I have decided to start back to school this summer to complete the 4 pre-entry classes I need ... I am worried that the overnight shift would totally throw me/us off."

Having a family, going to school (daytime?) and working night shift ... that's something to really think about.

"I would rather try for part-time 3 - 11 shift because it would work out best for me and my family, but they just don't come up often for LPNs (part of the reason I want to go on for the RN, there is more opportunity around here) I was thinking about possibly sending out resumes and stating I am seeking part-time 3 - 11 shift and see if I get any response. I guess in a way it feels selfish to try to be picky, because I have no experience. But then again if that would be the shift that I would have the most success being dedicated to at this time in my life, then I think I should try.

I would appreciate hearing thoughts and experiences about working nights, evenings, juggling family and nursing work, gaining experience and confidence! "

Sending out resumes is a good thought, although, your resume might end up in a file and forgotten.

:idea: May I suggest that you call the facility and make an appointment to complete an application for employment. By being there you might get an idea if you would or would not want to work there.

The nursing home where I am employed would welcome you with open arms if you were to work 2- 3 day a week, which would include every other weekend.

We currently have two nurses on the 3 - 11 shift that would like to work only 2 or 3 days a week so that they can spend more time with their retired husbands and grandkids. Sometimes, because of call outs and vacations, they are working 4 - 5 days a week.

Good luck! Keep in touch and let us know what happens.

NancyJo · Apr 15, 2005

I worked mn-8am for 12 years. Loved the first 6 years, no kids, husband worked days, I slept all day and got up just early enough to fix dinner and then we had the evening to do whatever. Then I had my son and it seemed I never got enough sleep until he started school and then it got a little better until my daughter came along. Even when the kids were in daycare, I tried to hang in there, but ended up taking Temazepam for sleep for awhile and decided it just wasn't worth it and went to days. I really liked nights and tried again a few years ago, lasted a whopping three months. Just couldn't handle it anymore. Never figured how to get the kids schedule to work with mine and it seems I require alot more sleep then I did in my younger days.