CNA Training
When it comes to life as a CNA, not everyone experiences the same thing. Those who work in nursing homes after CNA training aren’t going to have the same type of days as CNAs who have chosen to work in hospitals. If you work on the night shift after CNA training, your day will be much different as well, and there will be some things not even your best friend will understand. Let’s take a look.
After CNA Training: Things Nigh Shift Workers Experience
Eat a Burger at 8 AM- While the rest of the world is waking up and chowing down on some bacon and eggs, you’re finally ready to eat dinner. It may be strange to eat a burger, tacos, or spaghetti early in the morning, and it’s something only other night shift workers will understand after CNA training.
Getting Woken Up- At night, everything is quiet, but during the day, people are up and about, living their lives. After CNA training, this may cut into your sleep when you work nights. You’ll frequently be woken up by cars honking, lawn mowers running, or the phone ringing.
The Food- Be ready to pack your lunch if you want to avoid eating out of the vending machines after CNA training. In most facilities, the cafeteria is either closed or serving re-warmed food from the day.
Mole Eyes- While there’s still plenty of lights on in the hospital and nursing home during the night shift, there aren’t as many on as during the day so patients can sleep. What does this mean? When you walk out into the sun when your shift is over, it may take a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the bright morning sun.
The Tiredness- You may work the same amount of hours as other nursing assistants after CNA training, but your schedule won’t be the same. While the day shifters may stay awake for five or six hours after their shift, you might find it hard to keep your eyes open even when travelling home from work. This is because your body knows you should be sleeping at night, and it becomes tired more easily after your shift.
The Sundowners- Alzheimer patients who are sweet and kind during the day often experience a phenomenon known as sundowning at the end of the day. During this time, they become more confused and their moods change, leaving you to take care of an almost entirely different person.
The Non-Sleepers- After CNA training, you may think that choosing the night shift will make your job a lot easier. It doesn’t. There are plenty of patients who sleep all day and then stay up all night. Some keep you company. Some ring their call lights every 15 minutes. I just depends on that particular night.
Working Nights After CNA Training
Do you think you’re ready to work nights? While you may be doing the same job as other CNAs, there are some things only you will understand when you work this shift after CNA training.