How to spend my summer

[hotmessmanda]

Hi all. So in May I finished my first year of nursing school. During the first two semesters, I worked as a nurse assistance (nurse tech) on a med-surg floor in a small local hospital. Working part time (two-12hr shifts a week) during school wasn't a cake walk, but the experience with patients and the money made it worthwhile.

This summer I decided to pick up a position in the ED, same position (assistant/nurse tech), as well as keep my position on the Med Surg floor. So far I have been working 4-12s: two 7-7 shifts on Med Surg and two 12-12 shifts in the ED. I enjoy the experience I am getting in the ED, but I feel tired all the time which I know is to be expected with my lack of a solid sleep schedule. I know the experience will help, but is this too much? I don't want to burn myself out and then be worse off for it this coming fall semester.

Should I drop one of my shifts or should I suck it up and be grateful for all the experience (and OT pay)?

Thank for the input.

[BellionRN]

Only you can decide if it's too much!

If you're worried about being burnt out come fall then maybe you can just go casual (prn) a couple weeks before school starts (and not pick any shifts up) to give yourself time to rest. Or drop one or two 12s in a two week period if possible. Or both!

I think the experience you're likely getting will be phenomenal for you for school but I also think that as a student you should enjoy your summers while you still can!