Working Night Shift and School

pm80 · Jun 18, 2008

I've worked overnights for years and gone to school and I can say from my experience that you are always much better off going straight to school and then trying to catch a nap before your shift. Trying to go home and sleep for an hour or two is really of very little benefit regarding your feeling rested or not and , if you're anything like me , you'll probably inadvertently wind up sleeping through a couple of alarms over the course of the semester.

Good Luck

ensru011 · Jun 18, 2008

I agree. As long as I'm aren't so tired I can't function, it's actually easier if I just stay up and go to class for a couple of hours and then go to bed. :)

caliotter3 · Jun 18, 2008

When I was in school my commute was more than an hour. I found it easier to hit the road after work and get my classes done, then come home and sleep straight through until it was time for work. One time I took a night class which had me doing the reverse commute to make it to work. When I did this, as well as when I tried to cram too much into the day, or when I would break the day up, I ran into situations where I was trying to fall asleep somewhere, even behind the wheel. So I have to suggest staying up and trying to get your classes done as much in the morning as possible. Also try to make sure that there is no stretching the school situation out, no repeating or time off for this or that or any other kind of procrastinating. I got bit in the end partly because my body started to give way from trying to go to school full time and holding too many jobs. I started to hold back on school and it got longer and longer and voila, I didn't graduate! A word to the wise, get in, get it done, and get out!

shock-me-sane · Jun 18, 2008

I worked the night shift through school. If my class was scheduled in the afternoon I could get away with sleeping until noon and then going to class. Any earlier, I wouldn't work the night before.

Night shift is exhausting especially as a CNA. Make sure school takes priority. And yes, weekends are the best option if you can get that.

Good luck

missjennmb · Jun 18, 2008

thanks for all the info! I'm not the OP but I am hoping to start working part time in the next few weeks (fingers crossed!) and will be in school full time starting in August (taking 1 night class atm) I know they say you should avoid school + work but I can't afford school w/out work so it is what it is.

casi, ASN, RN · Jun 18, 2008

I've done both. I've tried sleeping all day and then taking evening classes and I've tried taking morning classes right after work.

I perfer taking morning classes right after work. It always takes me a bit of time to unwind after working a night shift, so I kind of use my classtime as unwinding time so by the time I get home I can just fall into bed.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

See, I didn't have much choice...I had psych classes at 10:30 AM and I often worked 12 at night...usually sundays,mondays, fridays and saturdays....I slept through 1-2 classes, I also ended up getting off on tues. morning at 5:30..but had class at noon, had to sleep beforehand....

You would be much better off to take a slight nap if possible, else you may find yourself nodding off...if it's going to be more than 4-5 hours, take a nap...else, stay up, do it, go home and sleep.....

kcochrane · Jun 20, 2008

I only took a couple classes at a time, so I went home to sleep, got up at 4pm and got to class by 6pm. Class ended by 9pm, enough time to go home and get an hour with the family and then off to work.

This semester I start nursing classes, so one day is clinical - 630am to 330pm. I plan on taking the night off before that class. I also have two other days with short conferences/lecture. I guess I'll be sleeping for a few hours, going to class and then finish sleeping. This should be interesting to see how it works.

Honestly I don't think it matters as long as you get your sleep in and stay consistant. Good luck!