Can I work three 12hours shifts while going to school for BSN

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 3, 2018

Absolutely! I did it with no problem. I'm still working full time while in NP school too.

RockinNurse2018 · Apr 3, 2018

That sounds like too much. 12 hours shifts, especially 3 in a row, are exhausting. Nursing school is also exhausting. Plus, you have a little one, and even though your boyfriend helps a lot, you still share some of the responsibility for raising him. If you want to go to nursing school, you should focus on that. Not saying you shouldn't work at all, as I know people that worked and went to nursing school at the same time. But consider shorter shifts and/or fewer shifts per week.

OldDude · Apr 3, 2018

Of course it's possible!

Sour Lemon · Apr 3, 2018

Just wondering if anyone thinks it's possible to work three 12hour night shifts while going to nursing school. I also have a one year old (that goes to say care) and a boyfriend (his dad) that helps a lot. Any advice or motivation would be appreciated :)

I've seen people fail out of school because work, school, and kids were too much for them. I've also seen people do well. I worked six hours a week while in school and felt like it was too much at times. Everyone is different.

Buckeye.nurse · Apr 3, 2018

A lot depends on how many credit hours you are taking per semester. Working full time and taking 15+ credit hours will be tough. Not to say it isn't doable, but know that your life will pretty much consist of school, work, and sleeping.

Having a boss that is understanding helps. Make sure you give them your school schedule at the beginning of each semester so that they know which days you need to be off. Taking PTO during finals week helps too.

And just a thought, a number of my co-workers have found that it is *much* easier to work 32 hours per week instead of 36. There's just something about that extra afternoon to study, take your car to the oil shop, take an afternoon class, or whatever you need to get done that makes a world of difference. So if that is an option for you, financially, then it something to consider.

Best of luck!!!

Nurseinprocess · Apr 3, 2018

So you are working three twelve hr shifts in a position that isn't RN? I first read it thinking you were RN bridging to BSN. How long is your BSN program? Is it 4 years? Is it accelerated? There are too many factors to answer your question. Nursing school can be difficult so you need to know what support you are really going to get to help with the baby and other things that come up. Working night shift is hard in itself, I did work nights during my 3rd semester of an ADN program, mostly over the weekends. I am not sure how I did it but somehow it worked out. I probably worked 2 nights in a row but rarely 3.

Treeanaxo · Apr 3, 2018

I will be working as an NA on night shift. They are aware that I will be going to nursing school and willing to do whatever to support that process.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 3, 2018

I did and it was a FT program. I also did my MSN while working, it was part time. The only glitch I had was some of the group projects and I work weekends and most of the others did not. We set up a time frame to make sure I had time to contribute.

Didn't realize you were talking about pre-licensure. It can be done. I worked as a HH aide so my schedule was more flexible. I have 2 type 1 kids too. Depends how good you are at multi-tasking. It can be done though

Bubbly26, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2018

I'm doing that right now. I'm doing an RN to BSN while still working as an RN. I work swing shifts.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2018

It depends on your school schedule. If you had all your classes and clinicals, say, Tues/Wed/Thurs then I think working Fri/Sat/Sun nights would be doable.

allnurses Guide · Apr 3, 2018

Yes you can. Will it be easy? No. But it wouldn't be easy if you weren't working either. Lots of people have done it. You can too.