Advice for a daytime student, parttime night-shift cna?

[studentandcna]

Hello everyone!

I recently got into nursing school, and my work right now is not too demanding. Over the summer, I've also received a job as a part-time night shift cna at a long term care facility. I'm very excited but I'm also in the process of trying to adjust.

I want to get into a healthy routine, and balance work and school. When I was asked which day I would like to work, I told them friday and saturday nights (10 pm to 6:30 pm). I'm taking 12 credit hours, and I have one afternoon class on mon, a morning and afternoon class on tues, and the same for thursday. All in all, it does not appear like it would be too much to handle, but I understand that things will get more challenging as the semester advances forward.

Therefore, I want to ask all of you Night Shift CNAs, or even Nurses for some advice, because I'm not exactly sure what I should do right now. I just woke up from a night of rest, and my shift/first day of work begins at 10 pm. I work once this particular week. Should I go back to sleep? I planned to study today. Or should I study, then take a nap for certain amount of time for each activity, and make that into a pattern?

Any bit of advice is welcome!

[Abigail612]

This is what I have done (not that it is nessisarily healthy) I would nap after classes on friday then take my home work with me to work friday nights (most places especially on night shift are leanient about studying while working) stay up till 2ish in the afternoon on saturday then sleep till its time to go to work, then take my homework with me again on Saturday night shift then stay up as late as I can on sundays (usually till some were between 6p-8p) then sleep in till 6a on monday and get and early start on the day. Then I keep the same bed time routine of going to bed at 8 and wakeing at 5ish until friday when it all starts again. Good Luck!

[lindseylpn]

When I worked 10-6 I always slept either 9-5 or 10-6 during the day, that worked best for me. And, always take a couple hour nap before work on your first night back at work, you may not feel tired at the time but, you'll sure feel it come 2am if you don't :-)