Is working days or nights as a CNA better for nursing school?

[michigan94]

I'm a CNA who is going to school for my RN. I have worked nights at a hospital and med/surg (7p-730a) 3 nights a week and it isn't terrible however it does make me very exhausted and sometimes it's hard to schedule classes because I have to take into consideration when I can sleep. I accepted a day shift position on the same floor but then was offered a job on night shift in ICU. I really want the ICU job but I do not know if I want to continue working nights. I just feel like I will feel more awake and productive if I work days, however I do think ICU is a good oppurtunity? For those who have been through nursing school, was working nights doable or will days make it much easier? Thank you!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

That will vary depending on the person. I'm a night person, so days would kill me. I think the most important thing is to have a flexible job. Nursing schools (at least in the area I went to school) are well-known for changing class times and days at the last minute. If you're unable to make the change, too bad. I wouldn't want to start a new job right before school, especially if I had a good working relationship with my current supervisor.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

Agreeing that it depends on the person and your schedule. I would love to be working nights instead of days but due to my schedule and wishing to stay in the emergency department, days currently works better for me.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I worked nights only on weekends and picked up 3-11 on school days. I had to cut down my hours as school started and worked extra over breaks. Switching to per diem made this possible.

My sister worked nights during school. The biggest problem she had was that clinicals started very soon after work ended and sometimes day shift CNAs were chronically late getting to work and relieving the night CNAs. Being late is unacceptable in clinicals.

I never worked days during nursing school. There was something scheduled each day, so work would be a problem. Mostly evenings and weekends worked out the best.