Nursing school & Nightshifts?

Published

Hey All!

I recently got accepted into the nursing program starting fall 2014. I currently work 3 nightshifts a week (and did all throughout school) from 6:00p-6:30a in Geriatrics, I also have a side job at a retail store (mostly so I can just keep my discount with minimal hours). Anyways with recent acceptance into the nursing program it has come to concern if I should continue working nightshifts once I am in the program. I have been taking about 16 credits all year and maintained a 3.9. I also commute an hour out to school, and every wednesday I would have class from 8am to 4pm, work my 12 hour night, then would drive back to class (thursday morning) and leave at about 4pm again. Everything has been fine and dandy (unless I got called to work in thursday night), until about 4 weeks ago I was driving to school and almost fell asleep at the wheel. I work nights so I have more time to study, so I don't have to deal with all the dayshift drama, and I am ultimately trying to get weekend shifts so I don't have to go to class without sleep. So what do you guys think? Have any of you worked nights in nursing school? I am very driven and I also want my GPA to reflect that (for Uppergrad), so did the lack of sleep affect your grades?

Thanks Much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I'll give you my experience with working nights and attending nursing school:

I work two shifts per week (1900-0700) and attend school four days out of the week. When I started nursing school I was in the day program and realized I needed to switch over to evenings because I fell asleep in the parking lot waiting for class to start. Now that I am in the evening program things are great, smaller class size, more laid back students, friendlier environment, and I can actually sleep during the day and study in the afternoon/night.

If your school offers an evening track I would definitely consider switching, once clinical starts you want to be on the ball and working at night then heading to clinical is not a good idea, or even falling asleep at the wheel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU.

I am starting in the Fall too. My workmate who is currently in the third semester, had been working night shift since she started Nursing school and seems that she is very comfortable and doing great. But,she only works on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays nights. Those are non-class days. Her classes are Mondays-Thursdays days. During her clinicals, she worked only weekends because clinicals are 8hrs. Again, we have the best boss in the whole world and work well with our school schedule. I have already schedule my shift during fall semester for only every other weekend. I know of people who cannot do without income and that forces them to do extra hours at work. It all depends on individual. I have seen people working and in the program, at the same time I have seen many students who were a head of me falling out because of failure to balance work and school. Just to share about what I have been doing since I went back to school. I do buy and sell online ebay especially in the summer. By the end of summer, I have more than enough to pay for my 2 semesters and books and some other basic needs. This buying and selling has enabled me to concentrate in my studies without worrying of income. It works for me pretty well and my family is of great support. Find out whatever works best for you, but I believe you need time to study because Nursing program as they say is not like a prep class. I have a GPA of 4.0 and hope to continue with my strategy that works best for me. Very proud of your hard work. All the best and hope we all start a thread for Fall 2014 Nursing program beginners so we can share the experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Postpartum, Mother/Baby, Comm. Health, Geriatric.

While completing another health career program I worked midnights as a care manager at an assisted living. I did have a little trouble at first, but once I got the hang of it, I was fine. I am hoping to do the same thing once I start the LPN program in the Fall. I currently work at a hospital (and am the Lead Pharmacy Technician so I work 8-4 day shift) and no one wants to give up there nights, so I am looking into other departments with midnight positions open.

You will do fine! And we will be nurses before we know it! :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None yet..

Every single one of you students who work night shifts are AWESOME! I think it would be too challenging for me to work nights and attend school days; I just need a more consistent routine. Your flexibility and resilience is just amazing. I'd wish you good luck but I don't think people like you need much luck - you have determination and physical gifts! Well done, all y'all!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked full time night shift during the first semester of nursing school and part time during the rest of nursing school. It was helpful for me because I need a full schedule to keep me motivated, that's just how I am. At times when it did start to stress me out I just thought to myself "this is only temporary" and since I worked in an acute care setting I really wanted to keep the position so that when I graduated I had a place of employment waiting for me. Also, it was slower on night shift so like you said I used down time to study. The only downfall is that as social life goes with family and friends I almost had none.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked 20 hours a week on the night shift while doing my prereqs, and I've had no trouble maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I'm planning on working the same shift/hours throughout nursing school. I really have no choice, since I have a mortgage to pay and a family to support, but it's working well for me.

However, I have pretty much no social life, and I have to sacrifice sleep to spend time with my family. But it hasn't impacted my grades, and I love working nights. I've always been a night owl, and I would love to continue working nights as an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health.

I worked full time throughout school. I switched to night shift about halfway through. If you budget your time, you will be fine. Sleep is important!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How would y'all recommend scheduling your night shifts, if you go to school during the day?

Would it be best to just work the nights you have class that day - and use the next day to sleep and study, if you don't have classes? Or simply work the nights you don't have school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't have a choice in my work schedule. It's pretty random. I always work every other weekend (Friday-Sunday) and then I have 2 more shifts each pay period that could be any days during the week. I can request one day off per week, but everything goes by seniotity so I can't be sure I'll get it. I just make sure I schedule my classes at times that will work no matter what my work schedule is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion