working full time nights while in FNP program?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 21, 2006

I worked 3pm to 3 am and that worked okay. Not great, but doable. Another thing to consider if you are doing an FNP is L&D experience going to hurt/help you with what you want to do eventually. Another thing, are clinicals available in the evenings? You might find that easier to do with nightshift. Good luck.

athena55, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

Hello zlas!

Gosh, your post brought back many memories. I was working two jobs while finishing up two undergrad degree's. My FT 12 hour night shift and PT day position in a clinic setting while physically attending class at one college and also completing my BSN via a distance program.

I am presently working and attending a NP program but again this program is via the Internet (distance education). Plus my dear kids are now much older (youngest 17 yo)

I am a night nurse (30+ years) so I would advocate you take the night position. The only foreseeable problem you might have is juggling your family responsibilities with work, sleep, school. (well, maybe not in that order, smile...) Ya know, come to think of it, I am probably not the best one to give advice to you as I am a huge fan and proponent of distance education and it has been a long while since I had to juggle job, family, and studies.

Anyway, good luck! Continued success in your life's dream. Keep us posted from time-to-time on how things are going. All Nurses.com is THE place to give and receive emotional support, advice, friendships....

Respectfully

athena

mart18642 · Aug 26, 2006

Hi all, I could use some advice about work schedules while in grad school.
I am currently in an MSN/FNP program. It is considered "part time" (for now anyway) because I take 6-8 credits each term. This Fall I have two full courses plus two lab courses. Clinical time will be added in January.
I am considering changing jobs. I have been working 3, 10 hour day shifts working in urgent care while going to school so far. It was pretty tough last term I have to admit. I don't know if I was stressed by my job or bored with the courses last term, but I felt as if I was barely treading water most of the time. I felt like I never had time to study - my family was home on the weekends. I just couldn't get things to work. The new position I am considering is nights (3 12's) at the hospital and the manager said it would be fine if I only wanted to work weekends due to my school schedule. I'm really excited about the opportunity even if it IS nights, because I have been waiting a LONG time for the chance to work in OB/L&D. For this position I would orient/train for a few months on day shift, then move to nights. Did any of you work nights while in grad school? Full time? Part time? What shift worked best for you and why? I would appreciate your input! Thanks.

Yes, Im in the grad school and I work at night 2 -12 hours shifts (part-time).most of my classes are on line.... It seemed easier to me to study when you work at night, when you are off,you can study without interruptions ...the only problem you seemed to have not much of a "life"

Just my 2.

lannisz · Aug 26, 2006

Thanks. I'm really hoping nights will work out better for me than days. Trying to work 3 10's - dayshifts - didn't work too well. I didn't have much of a life then either. Guess either way school and working takes up all my time. Hopefully I haven't gotten spoiled by being out of school this Summer!

Cyndee, MSN, NP · Aug 27, 2006

Hi all, I could use some advice about work schedules while in grad school.
I am currently in an MSN/FNP program. It is considered "part time" (for now anyway) because I take 6-8 credits each term. This Fall I have two full courses plus two lab courses. Clinical time will be added in January.
I am considering changing jobs. I have been working 3, 10 hour day shifts working in urgent care while going to school so far. It was pretty tough last term I have to admit. I don't know if I was stressed by my job or bored with the courses last term, but I felt as if I was barely treading water most of the time. I felt like I never had time to study - my family was home on the weekends. I just couldn't get things to work. The new position I am considering is nights (3 12's) at the hospital and the manager said it would be fine if I only wanted to work weekends due to my school schedule. I'm really excited about the opportunity even if it IS nights, because I have been waiting a LONG time for the chance to work in OB/L&D. For this position I would orient/train for a few months on day shift, then move to nights. Did any of you work nights while in grad school? Full time? Part time? What shift worked best for you and why? I would appreciate your input! Thanks.

I worked two 16 hour shifts/weekends per month on an acute care psych unit. I brought my computer to work and I was able to accomplish a LOT during the night shift. The majority of people who were working nights were working on a degree, even the mental health techs! I would say the easiest job in nursing is working psych at night. Now, I wouldn't say that for the day shift though! I was extremely fortunate because I not only got to work the weekends I wanted, but I also got top pay ($40/hr for weekend nights). I'm a night person, so that job fit me perfectly, but very few people can actually function this way. I've been an Adult/Geriatric NP for a year now and I'm working in pain management. Unfortunately, those jobs are daytime jobs only!