How to juggle night shift, family, and study time

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I am an RN who is starting my RN to BSN program. I work part time night shifts (12 hours, 2 days a week). The afternoons are always crazy with kids home from school, activities, lessons, dinner, and homework through bedtime. Of course before/after night shift I am sleeping. I am trying to work out a study schedule. I would love to hear from other working night-shift parents who are students.

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I'm currently a CST and work Fri-Sun nights 7-7. I start nursing school in a month and my plan is to study in the evenings after the kids are in bed during the week/nap times, Fridays while they are at daycare and during my down time at work. I have been doing this while taking prereqs and so far it has been working. I'm not sure what your school schedule is during the week but maybe you can during the week on days off? Hopefully you can find sometime to study that works!

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I'm currently a CST and work Fri-Sun nights 7-7. I start nursing school in a month and my plan is to study in the evenings after the kids are in bed during the week/nap times, Fridays while they are at daycare and during my down time at work. I have been doing this while taking prereqs and so far it has been working. I'm not sure what your school schedule is during the week but maybe you can during the week on days off? Hopefully you can find sometime to study that works!

Thanks for replying. The classes are all on-line so I don't have to physically attend anything. I just have to stay alert and super disciplined with my time management. I hope I can do that.

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It's been a few years since I was in school - when my kids were little at any rate - and I worked full-time NOCs, went to school full-time and helped the kids in school. It can be done. It depends on how old your kids are; are they old enough to understand what you are looking at doing - do they have homework? Can you do homework together? Make sure that you set your alarm for 7-8 hours of sleep and make sure you stick to it. That will help your circadian rhythm and after a while - your sanity.

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I'm in the same boat as you! I'm starting pre reqs next month - 16 credits all online. I also work 3 8-hour night shifts, and I have 4 kids! I'm a little worried I took too much on, but I'm trying to get my BSN (I'm an LPN now) and I don't want to take 8 years to get it lol. I'm planning on studying in the evenings and during downtime at work. Going to check this thread for any other helpful advice!

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Thanks for replying. The classes are all on-line so I don't have to physically attend anything. I just have to stay alert and super disciplined with my time management. I hope I can do that.

That's great that they are online! All mine have been until this summer and then nursing school next month. Just try to stick to a schedule and I think it will work out. I also think it's good if you can do homework at the same time as suggested by kerrimundhenke. Mine are 2.5 and 1, so that wouldn't work for them lol.

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I'm in the same boat as you! I'm starting pre reqs next month - 16 credits all online. I also work 3 8-hour night shifts, and I have 4 kids! I'm a little worried I took too much on, but I'm trying to get my BSN (I'm an LPN now) and I don't want to take 8 years to get it lol. I'm planning on studying in the evenings and during downtime at work. Going to check this thread for any other helpful advice!

I hope it goes well! Good luck!

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