Starting my first job as a CNA...offered two jobs. Need help deciding! :(

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

  1. Which Do You Think Is Better?

    • 3
      8hr shifts, 5 days a week
    • 12
      12 hr shifts, 3 days a week
    • 0
      either

15 members have participated

Okay, so here it is..I'm leaving my what-so-ever decent paying, plenty of overtime, factory job to follow my career path. The thing is I put in two applications..had two interviews...got two jobs...Both LTC. One is an 8 hr shift the other is a 12 hr and also pays a dollar more ( lol ) and is a shorter drive from where I'm currently staying.

The thing is the 8 hr shift after my one week start of days is evening shift (2-10). The other facility is nights (6-6). I was wondering which does everybody prefer? Both places are willing to work around my school schedule while I persue my RN but I feel like a 12hr 3 days a weeks will be more flexible...I still don't know which to stick with.

Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

8-hours five days a week gets you more money...you get 4 extra hours of work a week

while the other one is paying you 4 hours less...

Specializes in hospice.

Personally, I love my 12s. I work full time but only three days a week. And you're right that it will be more flexible for school. Plus you said the one with 12 hour shifts pays a little more per hour. That will help make up the difference of those four hours you aren't working each week compared to the other job.

I couldn't do this job five days a week.

When I first started working three days a week, 12 hour shifts I was so exhausted by my day off that I slept allot on my days off lol. I now split my three days by working one, off the next day then work the next two days. I am still tired after 12 hours of pacing those hallways for 12 hours straight hours but I'm used to it now so I don't feel the need to nap on my days off as often. Although I love only working three days a week sometimes I wish I had my 8 hour job back at 5 days a week, its more days to work but less tiring for me personally.

Specializes in Long term care.

Well, the 6-6 shift will include at least part of an overnight which means usually the pace is slower. Don't think you will be able to study during those down times, since most places forbid that sort of thing so that you have full attention to your residents.

...then, you have to think about when will you be able to sleep. If you're working 12 hr shifts 3 days a week, then you have to fit sleep time in there somewhere, that pretty much leaves you with 3 days that you won't have time to study....not a good thing when in nursing school.

Not to mention, if you are working an overnight shift, in order to keep your sanity, you should keep a regular sleep routine....

From the experience of my sister and neice who recently grad. from nursing school....both have said that it was impossible to work full time AND go to nursing school with the studing that was required.

Does the 8 hr shift still pay more than your factory job? If it does, than you're still ahead of the game there.

Lots to think over!

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

I'm still looking for my first CNA job, but I been in nursing school a while and I think 3, 12 hour shifts is doable will be more convenient.IF you got to cut down hours during test time working 1 or 2 days will still get you a lot of hours.

Thanks guys. I decided upon going with the 12 hr shift job simply because of the ADON. She's all for college students and is willing to help me along the way. It's always good to have somebody like that in your corner. As far as studying I know it'll be rough, but I was managing staying afloat workin around 10 or more hours every weekday while in college. Its possible it just takes dedication. Ill just keep the thought that this is not my stopping point and I should be able to excel. But no, the 8 hr shift pays way less than my current job. At the factory job I was right under management so I just supervised the floor and the employees and made sure orders went out.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

Thats great the LTC supports you. I've been applying to hospitals with no luck yet. I think next week I'll try LTC facilities

I know most hospitals here wont hire unless you have a few months of experience, but best of luck to you. :)

Specializes in Hospice.

Wow twelve hour shifts while doing nursing school would kill me. I just started my CNA position while finishing my first year of NS and I can see it is going to be a real challenge due to the exhaustion, mainly. The time management I can handle, planning study time etc, but the exhaustion factor is mind boggling!

Specializes in Psych.

I would take the 8 hours. As much as I would like working less days working nights kills me. I can't sleep at night on my days off with Benadryl and my brain is really foggy while studying.

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