Do you work full-time 11-7 while in RN school?

Chamae01 · Aug 22, 2011

So far it's been doable for me. I am currently in the LVN-RN bridge program and working full time. I do 12 hour shifts though so I get more days off in a week which makes it easier for me. It's stressful but I'm the bread winner in my family so gotta do what I gotta do. This program is 3 semesters, I'm currently in the 2nd one. I heard the last semester is gonna be killer though so I'm a little nervous about it. Good luck to you!

RN/Mom · Aug 31, 2011

I think it depends on your work situation and your personal situation... Will your employer regularly grant extra days off, especially the night before class and clinicals? How often can you call in sick to work without being disciplined? Do you work on a demanding floor? Do you have a family? Do you have good help and support at home?

I'm currently working 11-7 four nights a week (for a total of 32 hours per week, so less than full-time) and attending class and clinicals 3 days per week. I'm only in my third week, but so far it seems do-able and perhaps even easier than if I was having to work 7-3 (day shift).

I'm in a special program sponsored by my employer that gives me one day off per week, plus I am using vacation time to add an additional day off every other week. I am very organized, and have my entire work schedule, school schedule, reading assignments, due dates, and exam dates on a calendar that I refer to to daily. It is a little tricky switching from a day schedule to a night schedule every few days, but so far I am managing okay (for example, there is one day each week I have to attend clinicals from 7-3, then work from 11-7 the same night -- I simply take a four hour nap in between and am tired but otherwise "good to go" after a little caffeine).

I am also finding that working nights on a relatively quiet floor (although some nights are crazy) allows me to complete quite a bit of studying. I actually think it would be more difficult to work day shift while going to school because it would be more physically grueling and I would have less "down time" to study. If I'm super tired, I can also nap during my break at night.

For me, I think the key is having lots of help/support, staying organized, and taking it one day at a time, one assignment at a time. You also just have to adopt the mentality that school and work will temporarily have to become your whole life -- you will need lots of help and support from your family and significant other(s), onto whom you will have to delegate commitments such as childcare, cleaning, cooking, and laundry. If/when this seems crazy, just remember and remind yourself and those who are helping you that it's temporary (a matter of months, not years), and will have huge benefits when it's over! Don't even try to schedule trips, vacations, weekend getaways, or overwhelm yourself with non-essential social commitments such as throwing parties, hosting overnight visitors, or entertaining others. For a short time, school and work will simply have to be the focus of your life and those close to you will have to be "on board" with this.

So, yes -- with lots of cooperation from your employer in granting days off, help from your significant other(s), and your own focus, discipline, and sacrifice, I think it's totally possible to complete RN school while working 11-7.

valzRN, ASN, RN · Sep 6, 2011

I too was considering accepting a full time position at my job. It's 12 hour shifts but it's a rotating schedule. So there are days that I will have to work 7p-7a and then either go to class or clinical. This is my last "classroom" term and I am scared that I will fail. Although at night there is more downtime than on days so I can study. My thing is trying to stay awake and being mentally ready for exams and such. I am the only working person in my house right now and I really need to work, I am just scared that I am going to mess this school thing up and then regret it later on.

hello_nurse77 · Sep 6, 2011

Oh how I miss 12hr shifts!! My current job only offers 8hr- and of course I got stuck with 3-11. I just finished my 1st semester of RN school @ ITT-Tech, and it was ROUGH! Get out of class @ 12:45- go home changes clothes, eat, walk the dog, then leave for work- back home around midnight (if I"m lucky)- force my tired self to study, but can't stay up too late or I'll oversleep and be late for class @ 8am....UGHHHHH!!! When I went to LPN school, I lived w/ my mom and only worked weekends...this time around, it's a whole new ballgame. I'm single so I have to work or I don't eat or have a roof over my head, and my work schedule isn't very flexible, so that doesn't help matters. The job market for LPN's is so crappy here though, so no matter what it takes I HAVE to make this work. Best of luck and much love to you on this journey...