Clinicals plus working Midnights?

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  1. Are you/did you work during clinicals?

    • 2
      Worked Full-Time
    • 4
      Worked-Part time/Didn't Work

6 members have participated

October 1st I start nursing clinicals. They are for LPN and last one full year from October 1st, to October 1st, Monday-Friday 8am-2pm. I am a part-time CNA working 3rd shift. To stay employed with my job, I must work 2 nights per week. Unless I want to work EVERY Friday and Saturday for an entire year, (Which I really don't want to do) I can work every other Monday, a few Fridays per month, and every Saturday. I realize that you have to make sacrifices but I really don't want to work every single weekend or kill myself driving home after school on Tuesday after working all night. This isn't about the money, mind you, 2 days per week really isn't going to provide much regardless. I have a support system at home (my bf) who already told me I can quit my job if need be, but I want to work here after school as a nurse. Is it worth it working 7 days a week between school and work just to make my name look good at work? HELP!

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Of course, we know that more than likely this will look good on your résumé and will help keep your foot in the door, but, whether or not this job is worth it is up to you. Will you be able to handle the workload or will you be burned-out? What is the job market like in your area?

Maybe you can try it for a while and see how it plays out, then you can decide if it is worth it to you.

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Can you go PRN? I work PRN at 2 places and pickup when I have less schoolwork ( yeah right!). It works out well.

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I would just work the weekends if you have the choice. I choose sleep over weekends any time!

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Work the weekends. If you are going to clinicals after being awake all night, you are putting your patients at risk for harm because your tired brain will not want to work proficiently. Also, the extra driving while tired is not a safe proposal for yourself either.

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Unfortunately, PRN is not an option since too many people at work abused this option. Really my only option is every Friday and Saturday for an entire year. I'm not sure if that's really what I want to do, especially if I don't have to. My school is an hour away so working the night before really isn't a great option either since I don't want to fall asleep driving. I may try it the first month to see how everything plays out before making my final decision. As for the job market here, LPN's are quite needed. Multiple places are hiring here so I don't think that will really be an issue. Thank you for the advice everyone!

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Even though working every weekend for the next year is not ideal, it really might be the best choice. An hour of driving after you got off a shift and than trying to be awake for clinicals or lecture is not going to be easy. Been there tried that many years ago, didn't work well for my classes. I would get to school plan on getting an hour nap in before the start of class in my car or somewhere on campus and find that I slept through class. I also know a person who was driving after they got off a midnight shift to school, about 45 minutes away. They ended up dozing off behind the wheel. Fortunately they did not injure anyone or themselves, but they did end up losing their drivers license and several years later still don't have it, having to rely on others to get them to work. All it can take is 30 seconds or less of dozing off and your life or someone else's can be changed forever.

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I would like to encourage you to look into home care! Many agencies (such as hours) will hire you to work as a STNA while you are in school to be a LPN. Once you have the LPN license, you can work as a LPN.....then, if you are still going to school and graduate as a RN. Many agencies can work with a school schedule. Physicians set up the frequency of the visits and usually you can schedule the visit to take place at a time that is mutually beneficial for YOU and the patient. Home care offers so many different diagnosis, and you meet some very wonderful people that are pleased to see you because they realize YOU are the reason they can be home and not in a nursing home!!!!

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I worked full time when I was going for my LPN. I am hoping to be in the RN program next year (and while I will have to change jobs) I plan on working full time. I am the provider for my family so I don't have the choice. Working part time is a good start. If it feels like too much you have the option to quit.

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