The aim of this study was to understand how assistant nurses in the care of elderly experiences partial shifts. It was based on six different semi-structured interviews with assistant nurses in the elderly care and then analyzed. It is a qualitative research of subjective thoughts and experiences from assistant nurses. The study shows that the assistant nurses experienced dissatisfaction with the work environment due partial shifts and low fact of influence on the schedule. The assistant nurses complained of deficiencies in care of the elderly, which ought to be correlated with the structure of partial shifts and the lack of energy and patience that brings with it. On the other hand some participants could find positive aspects of partial shifts regarding time to rest and be there for the caretakers. The impact of the private life was palpable, and despite some aspects to have time to rest, the work-life balance was hard to fulfill and all assistant nurses with schedules containing partial shifts on the weekdays wanted a schedule without it.