Working doubles...how do you do it???

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

I'm not an RN, so I can't answer your actual question, but if my SO gave me grief about not wanting to work double shifts and go to school, he'd get a serious case of single-raised-eyebrow in his direction! You're no good to anyone, including him, if you work yourself to death!

RNKPCE · Mar 22, 2005

Doubles are rough on all employees. That is why I have only done one in my career. Most people I know do at the most one a week.

You are really working two jobs and it is not really a double because you probably aren't getting double pay and don't get the appreciation of the staff that you are helping out by staying over. At least the staff that I know that works double gets pats on the back from the shift they are helping. Life is too short.

Littlewonder · Mar 23, 2005

I work twelve hour shifts and ended up doing lots of "catch up" or "start the next shift off" overtime in my last job (which ended up being up to seventeen hours of work straight, often without lunch breaks or any other breaks for that matter.) That is why I said "last job!" If your first job of the day is understaffed, would it be easier to pick up four to six hours (or a full shift) from your first job so you will at least get overtime pay? (Maybe they don't think they are understaffed and so do not post extra shifts available, but if they do, that might be more feasable.) That way you would not have to drive to a different facility and start over at least.

By the way - your hubby needs a reality check if he thinks you are lazy!!!! Just nursing school is hard work - without any job at all. Two part times + school = exhausted.

SthRNBelle · Mar 23, 2005

Girl...you need a break. Take a word of advice...slowo down. I tried to do the same thing as you and I almost didn't make it through nursing school. I passed my first semester by 9/10 of a point. :rolleyes: But anyway...I didn't work as much and my grades did complete 180 degree change. You may end up with school loans...but I think it is better in the end. Good luck!

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2005

I am currently working as a PSW ("CNA" to the US Folks:)). Since in Ontario full-time health care jobs are as rare as hen's teeth, I'm working two part-time jobs to pay the bills. I make ok money. It's enough to support me and finance my nursing school.
However, one of the downsides of working two jobs is that inevitably I am scheduled at both places on the same day...so I end up working 7-2 at one place, getting in my car, grabbing a quick lunch, then doing a 3-11 at the other place.
I do that 2-3 times per week, and it is killing me. Especially if the two days are consecutive i.e. Sat/Sun.
I do get breaks, but they are rare at my morning job. The workload at that job is much heavier, we are understaffed, blah blah blah you've heard it all before :)
I am quitting one job in September to finish school full-time - I can't take this workload, plus school, for much longer. My husband insinuates I am lazy (though he hasn't said it in those words) and thinks I'm nuts to take out a small loan ($10,000) to finish school next June, rather than hang in like this for another 2 years. I think he should try MY job once in a while and see how he likes it!
Is working doubles as an RN easier? I know it's a hard job, but the lifting/pulling/tugging/yanking for 16 hours straight is killing me. Then to have 5 hours sleep and do it all again....sigh.
Any opinions? Help? You guys are great. I know you'll have some great suggestions...or maybe I'm just looking for support! Thanks!

Borrow the money and quit. At least you know you'll pass and be able to pay the loan back with your new nursing job. If you don't, you're going to leave yourself very little time to study. You'll be stuck where you're at now and not have a thing to show for it. Second year content is much harder than the first and they also try to cram more info (that's more complex) into a shorter amount of time. If you're still in the pre-req stage, nursing school is not like regular college. It has very little tolerance for a mistress, so to speak. But, it's not forever.

As far as dh goes, he needs to see things in the long term rather than the short. Yes, your financial state may not be as good as it is now, but it will only be for a short time. Believe me, I know. These last two years have been hell on our finaicial situation and it was so tempting on many occasions to go back to work full time. Knowing I'm almost done and still going to be broke until mid-July is agonizing. It's only four months, but I'm sick of being behind on bills and on pins and needles financially. I've been really fortunate with my dh, he is able to see the big picture even when I can't.

:flowersfo :icon_hug:

BadBird, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2005

Your husband has a screw loose if he thinks you are lazy, sounds like jealousy to me. You need to take care of yourself, if getting a small loan will help you make it through school then do it. Unless of course your husband is willing to work a second job to help you. To answer your question about working doubles (16 hrs. here) it is awful, dangerous and thank goodness doesn't happen often. When I was in my 20's it was no problem but 20 yrs. later you really feel it drain you.

Worthy · Mar 24, 2005

Thank you everyone.

I can't pick up extra hours at my morning job, otherwise I would...the shifts are very, very regulated there, and I'm lucky to have the position I have (7AM to 2PM, I'm the "bath girl" ha ha). It seems here in Ontario, you can't work full-time at any one place as a PSW (CNA) until you've had three or four years seniority, really. That way they don't have to pay benefits, stat holidays, etc. It sucks. I can't get enough hours at one job to pay the bills. And there are lots of bills, including tuition :uhoh3:

My husband is very supportive of my school, but he once had a second job (driving a forklift, for crissakes, isn't that just sitting on your ***??? We had a big fight about that. No offence to forklift drivers) and his day job is office work as a dispatcher. He sits. A lot. He can't understand why I'm so exhausted all the time, and tells me I don't prioritize well, he may be right in that regard.

I am successfully through my first year, with a 90 average. However, my last few grades "slipped", and I wasn't happy, and I KNOW it's because of my schedule. I am not dumb - I'm just overworked.

Thanks everyone for the support!