How to handle Rotating night shift and school/study?

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Hey all,

I am in my second year of a BSN program. things are still easy but will start to heat up once we go to pharm/patho and the things that follows in a few months. Anyways, I just got a job as a ER tech; I will be working 7p-7a. I will have two 12 hour shift/week.

Anyone have any tips on how to juggle night shift and school?

Or if you have experience, I would love to just read about how you balance things out and how it worked out for you.

For starters:

When is a good time to sleep the day before my shift? Should I stay up extra late the night before so I can sleep in and wake up later closer to my shift? (for example if my shift starts at 7pm on sat, should I sleep at 3am and wake up at 12pm (as opposed to 10p-6a?)

 

When did you find it more optimal to study? I am assuming the rotating night shift will make the brain a bit groggy. So I am trying to see what's the best way to study most efficiently?

Thank you

 

 

 

 

 

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Specializes in Customer service.

I have no idea. That messed me up for some time. I had to quit my night shift job. If I didn't convert to PRN, I'd fail. 

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Specializes in Customer service.

My classes and labs are full days plus clinical days. I fell asleep twice in my classes. I didn't do it anymore because I didn't learn. My professor was understanding. They didn't have to talk to me about it. I changed my schedule and have been alright since then. 

I hope you'll be alright where sleep is not a problem. 

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