Nursing Student on 3rd Shift

I haven't but had classes with a guy this past semester that worked 3rds. We weren't in our program yet and were gone from school by 11:00. It was very hard on him. So lets think of it this way. You will work from (I am assuming) 7p to 7a, be at school by 8a, leave school at 4p and have to be back at work by 7p. Take in to count driving time. You are going to get maybe an hour of sleep. If it is three 12 hour shifts you need to try your best to work the days you don't have class.

That's what I was thinking too, working the days that I don't have classes. The hours of 3rd shift there are 10:30-6, I was thinking of asking them about 12 hour days though to cut down on the number of days I am actually working. So maybe doing the 12's on my day off.

When does your program begin?

That sounds really tough to work nights and go to school days.

My program starts June 1st. Yea, that's why i was trying to get a feel from other students on how it worked for them. BTW Going into nursing is worrisome, I hear a lot about how the whole "nursing shortage" is a lie, I am going into to Nursing because I love the field, but it makes me worried that I may not be able to get a job out of school. So many worries with nursing why do they make it sooo darn hard to go to school, and get a job when they act like they need Nurses so bad! Sorry to go on a tangent it's just frustrating!

I used to work third shift when going to school. Afterwards I found a better job and I have been working days, but with my summer class I might switch back to nights until it is over (because it works better for me that way). I only worked one day/week last semester during school...it was rough. I did have time to take about an hour/hour and a half nap in between my class and going to work and when I did that made it better when I didn't it was harder. I would go to class from 12:30-3:30, go pick up something to eat, nap, then leave by 5:50-6:00pm to be at work by 7pm (my job then was an hour away). I would work for 2 hours. I would also always hit up Starbucks as soon as I got there and get a tall or grande soy vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso. that helped keep me wired for awhile!!! After working I would crash at my mom's place (she only lives 30 minutes away). If you have never worked nights before, the first (or first couple) of shifts can be pretty rough because you aren't used it.

Pros

+ shift differential (my old job was $1 extra per hour...I think my job is only $0.50. it depends where you work)

+ you usually don't have to deal with family members :)

+ you can always fit working into your schedule!

Cons

+ your sleeping schedule is messed up

+ I risked getting into an accident every time I came home from a 12-hour night shift!!! The hospital I work at now is only 5 minutes from where I live which that isn't bad...but imagine driving 30-60 minutes when all you want to do is sleep!!!

On the drive home, I did just about everything possible to keep me awake. Drive with the windows open, have the music blasting, eat, chew gum...and I know this is now illegal in some states and you're much more likely to get into an accident but texting would keep me awake! Sometimes I would call a friend or my mom on the drive home to talk to me and keep me awake.

Melosaur, thank you soooo much for the very very helpful information! I can definitely see how it would be so hard, especially for you driving that far and being so tired. I will take that into consideration, but you are soo right can always fit work into your schedule. But, your sleep will be crazy! I think once I find a groove like you said it may start to be easier. :) This really helps alot though!

I have been working 8p-4a, 5 days a week, throughout nursuing school. I am now in my second year and will be done in December. It is very hard with all the driving and lack of sleep, but I get it done. I feel that I will sleep when I get on summer break and when I get days off from work! But in the meantime, I'm making it work. Like some idiot said, anything worth having is worth working for! I know that it will pay off in the end. I still clean my house, do laundry, and find time to hang out w/the hubby. Again, it's very hard, but I am determined to be able to quit my current job and move into a career that makes me happy! Hope it helps! Some days Ive gone straight from school to work, and had to do the pick-up something to eat, take clothes with me in the morning (to school) to change for work, but like I said, I know in the end it will be worth it!

Also, am I the only one that is disturbed by the fact that most places do not offer an evening nursing program? I think it's a shame there is not more opportunity like that!

I would imagine that nursing instructors probably think they paid their dues with respect to working nights a long time ago.

I can't imagine working nights then trying to learn anything in school. I notice the ones that try this generally get lower scores and one I know of is in constant danger of flunking out.

Melosaur, thank you soooo much for the very very helpful information! I can definitely see how it would be so hard, especially for you driving that far and being so tired. I will take that into consideration, but you are soo right can always fit work into your schedule. But, your sleep will be crazy! I think once I find a groove like you said it may start to be easier. :) This really helps alot though!

:)

And my other advice to you is if you work a night and then have your next day off (or have time to sleep a little), just go straight to bed (I always jumped in the shower before heading to bed...I always feel gross after work). On my off days I would sleep for about 4-5 hours that way my sleeping schedule wouldn't be messed up. If I had to work again the next night, I would sleep as much as I can (generally between 7-10 hours).

Ohhh and, try not to drink a whole lot of fluids after 0300, unless you want to wake up peeing all morning

I can't imagine working nights then trying to learn anything in school. I notice the ones that try this generally get lower scores and one I know of is in constant danger of flunking out.

It's tough, but doable. Luckily I never had a problem.