The Cons Of Working Night Shift
- Night shift wrecks havoc on your health. Working night shift is bad for your health. There are multiple studies that show this. For example, one study shows that night shift workers have a higher rate of obesity, diabetes and cancer .
- It wrecks havoc on your personal life. Keeping up with your personal life working night shift can be difficult. Ask any night shift worker.
- It’s going to be hard studying. If you’ve never worked night shift before than you need to understand that it’s probably going to be rough. To me there’s a haziness and tiredness that comes working nights that makes studying difficult. It’s also possible I just don’t handle night shift very well.
You Can Perform Under Pressure
Because youve spent your career meeting deadlines and working well even in a pressure-filled environment, you wont be surprised to learn that nursing will require that same commitment to handling stress and not cracking under the strain. The self-care techniques youve developed during your career are important, as youll be dealing with life and death situations during every shift keeping a cool head while accomplishing what needs to be done is vital.
Nursing demands a lot from those who take it on as a career, and forming a support network among your fellow nurses, as well as friends and family, is important. With the right outlook, you can prevent burnout and be able to overcome the challenges and reap the rich rewards that come with helping others as a nurse.
Is The Job Flexible With Your Schedule
Are you able to turn in your school schedule at the beginning of your semester or term, and your job works around it? Flexibility is an essential quality you need your job to have during nursing school. Between suddenly changing class schedules and clinical rotations, you never know when your work schedule needs to alter because of school.
If youâre already working, sit down with your manager, supervisor, or scheduler and let them know your plans. Do this at the beginning of each semester or term. You may even have to change roles or have your responsibilities and tasks at work shift to accommodate your new life.
Be upfront, but remember if school is your priority, there is little to no room to change your school schedule, and you may have to find a new job. â
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Its Ok To Ask For Help
Dont be afraid to ask for help. Whether its your nursing professors, a fellow student, or your employer, if youre struggling, let them know. They can help you ensure success in all that you do.
Rawsi Williams, RN, JD, BSN, PhD, shares insights from her time as a nurse.
To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can, in spite of all we go through, is to be a nurse. Rawsi Williams, JD, BSN, RN, PhD
Design A Schedule And Routine
Students who work and go to school full time must design, implement and maintain a disciplined schedule and daily routine. Create a comprehensive scheduling resource on paper, a computer or mobile phone that defines and outlines your responsibilities daily, weekly and monthly. Leverage tools like calendars, alarms, emails or text message reminders to stay on task and motivated. Assess how your schedules and routines are working periodically to make changes and adjustments where necessary.
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You May Feel Overwhelmed On The First Day But Focus One Week At A Time
Your first few months will acclimate you to the seemingly impossible demands of nursing education. Many students wonder how they are going to keep up with the rigor of it all. Be prepared that you may see classmates drop out, but thats ok. School or the nursing profession isnt for everyone, and you have your own unique academic and career journey.
Focus one week at a time, and by the halfway point, you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having a support system is also essential for your well-being. Consider reaching out to friends, family members, or fellow nursing students who can be there if you feel overwhelmed.
Youll Have Opportunities To Advance
Whether you are earning your RN, your BSN, or your graduate nursing degree, improving your credentials will open up new doors for nursing career advancement. It will also expose you to opportunities you hadnt even thought of. You will network and collaborate with faculty and your peers in other specialties, expanding your connections and your awareness of the possibilities. Joining a professional association can help as well.
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Overview Of Nursing Degrees
Nursing schools offer an array of degree options, from associate degrees through postgraduate programs. Each level is designed to meet different career needs, so courses, curricula, and skills learned vary. Understanding how nursing degrees differ–and how these differences translate to the workplace–allows future nursing students to choose programs that are in line with their goals and interests. In addition to the degree information provided below, students can visit this nursing program search tool and rankings page to help round out their research.
Can I Work While In Nursing School
The answer to this question isnt exactly black and white. Depending on which program you are in, what type of learner you are and what your home situation is, it may be possible for you to work while in nursing school. But theres no sugarcoating the fact that nursing school requires a lot of time and energy. Between attending class, completing clinicals and studying for exams, a full-time work schedule may not be feasible for many nursing students.
However, do not let this discourage you. It is possible to work part-time while in nursing school. In fact, it can even be an advantage to find a part-time job in the healthcare field, according to Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP and author. Experience working in healthcare can help you stand out so that when you graduate, you can have an easier time finding a position as a nurse.
It is helpful to work in healthcare while in school to expand on your training and clinical time, Cardillo says. Positions such as a nurses aide or patient care tech are ideal. And most healthcare facilities love to hire student nurses in these roles.
If working and going to school at the same time seem overwhelming, another option is to complete an accelerated program that will allow you to finish your schooling faster. This will allow you to go all-in on your education for a shorter period so you can become a nurse sooner.
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Your Previous Career Experiences Equip You To Thrive
No matter the industry of your previous career, youve almost certainly cultivated the experiences and skills youll need to be a successful nurse. While clinical knowledge is essential, any number of soft skills will see you through a career in nursing and allow you to reach new heights in your new career. So, even if youre going back to nursing school as a 30-year-old, 40-year-old, or older, see how your previous professional expertise is bound to help you settle into this new career.
You Will Receive Your Nclex Results Fast
There was a time, not so long ago, when students had to wait weeks before receiving their NCLEX results. But now students know within 24 to 48 hours or sooner whether they passed.
If you dont pass, it is not the end of the world. While your goal should be to pass on the first try, many nurses have to take the exam a second time and still become excellent nurses.
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Nursing Tools And Technology
Nurses rely on a broad set of tools to do their jobs effectively, including:
- Thermometers, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and other basic health monitoring tools
- Acute care monitoring units like scalp electrodes, fetal care monitors and bilimeters
- Medical suction and vacuum appliances, including nasal-, oral- and tracheal-suctioning equipment
- Gastrointestinal, colonoscopic and other endoscopes
- Catheters and related intravenous tools
Nurses must also be computer savvy and familiar with several software programs, among them:
- Medical software
- Database programs
- Office suites
- Time accounting software
Guide To Working While In Nursing School
Nursing school provides an avenue for aspiring nurses to grow and learn. Working while also attending school affords students options relating to their personal lives and financial needs. If you have a passion for science and medicine and you enjoy helping people, you may consider becoming a nurse. In this article, we describe the benefits and potential challenges of working while in nursing school and offer five tips for being a successful student while also employed.
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There Are Benefits And Challenges To Hybrid And Online Nursing Classes
Every type of nursing program has its benefits and disadvantages. If youre wondering if hybrid or online nursing programs are right for you, here are things to consider.
Pros to online and hybrid classes:
- Flexible class hours
- Being able to learn from home or anywhere
- Minimal or no commuting to a classroom which makes for easier attendance
- Enhanced ability to work if you need to
- Ability to study any time of the day or night
- Learn new tech skills
- Assisting with toileting, dressing, and eating
- Helping turn and reposition patients
- Bathing and assisting with grooming
- Turning patient beds and cleaning rooms
- Answering patient call lights
- Assisting nurses with various procedures
Some university hospitals hire nursing students to become CNAs after completing a certain point in their education. Many of the positions are per diem and allow you to work a minimum of four days a month, fitting into your busy coursework schedule.
Working as a CNA also helps you obtain some first-hand experience to apply to your education. But most importantly, becoming a CNA in nursing school gives you direct access to hiring managers in the hospital and presents opportunities to network.
Make Nursing A Reality For You
Now that weve explored how nursing school is an attainable goal and described the ways in which your previous career experiences can prepare you to be successful as a nurse, we hope youve seen how going back to school for nursing can fit into your life and prove to be an exciting next step in your professional and personal life.
If you have a non-nursing bachelors degree and a willingness to learn, you have the skills and experience youll need to succeed as a nurse. Reach out to a Marian ABSN admissions advisor today and start a conversation that can change your career as well as your life.
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More Distinguished Resume After Graduation
An impressive nursing resume highlights your educational background, accomplishments, talents and skills. It should also include nursing license and certification details and membership in any professional organizations, associations, or societies. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, positions for registered nurses are through the year 2029. This is nearly double the average growth predictions for other careers. However, entry-level positions for home health aides, personal care helpers, nursing assistants and orderlies are predicted to increase by 25%. This percentage is nearly seven times the average national growth rate for other jobs.
Working full or part-time in a health-related field while earning your nursing degree can help you build your resume, increase your viability as a candidate and show potential employers evidence of your dedication to hard work. It also showcases your ability to multitask, your commitment to time management and your willingness to accept challenges, which are all attractive qualities to possess.
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Medical Interpreter Or Translator
Medical interpreters help doctors and nurses communicate with patients who dont speak English or prefer to broach delicate topics in their native language. Meanwhile, medical translators most often translate medical records for tourists or travellers who need to claim a refund for the care they received abroad. Occasionally, they also translate pharmaceutical materials or informational leaflets.
Interpreters usually work on-site or via video call. Translators typically work from home.
Why is it great for nursing students?
You can learn a lot from just going through a patients history or from listening in to their consults. You will get to see many day-to-day interactions and help people without the pressure of proving yourself as a future nurse. Both positions are pretty flexible and the positions are generally well-paid.
I found medical translations fascinating, but it was medical interpreting that eventually drove me into nursing. For people who are scared and in pain, accessing care in their native language can make a world of difference.
Requirements: In addition to fluency in a second language, you will usually need to take a certificate in medical terminology. Interpreters generally need to be board-certified. The certification process includes testing on interpreting techniques, cultural awareness, and confidentiality.
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Working And Going To Nursing School At The Same Time: Practical Advice For Working Students
Can I work and still make it through nursing school at the same time? is one question we hear all the time at BestNursingDegree.com.
One of the most common questions about nursing school is whether or not you can continue working during classes. In todays economy, balancing work and school is something many nursing students must face.
Many nursing students must work part-time or full-time while they attend school because of financial obligations, but it can be difficult to keep a job and attend nursing school simultaneously. Completing any degree is a challenge, especially when you are working 40 hours a week, but doing well in nursing school with a job can be incredibly difficult.
For most students, completing nursing school and successfully passing the NCLEX exam means dedicating ones self completely to school with as few outside distractions as possible. This dedication may mean seeking out additional financial aid to help with living expenses while youre in school.
This is just one reason why we offer a $2500 nursing scholarship quarterly. Many of our scholarship winners are excited to learn they have won, as this added income allows them to decrease their working hours and focus more on their nursing courses. If you are enrolled in nursing school, be sure to apply for our scholarship today.
Practice Good Study Skills With Your Cohort
Youll be covering new ground every week as an ABSN student, and the deadlines come just as fast as the material youll be going over. Try to follow a set study schedule when reviewing concepts from labs and completing assignments to stay on track, and dont be afraid to reach out to other members of your cohort. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, but youll all be going through this common experience together and each cohort member is there to see everyone else succeed as well. With a routine and support from your fellow students, youll be better equipped to meet deadlines and succeed in this vital aspect of your nursing education.
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How Long Does Nursing School Take To Complete
The field of nursing makes up a substantial number of jobs in the medical field and healthcare industry. In fact, the United States federal government predicts that over the next several years, the nursing sector will add at least 200,000 jobs per year. When it comes to training to be a nurse, many students ask, How long is nursing school?
When you begin any academic program, its normal to want to learn more about career options and job availability based upon your year of completion. Because each training program is different based on the education provider and the specific program you choose, these options may change from year to year.
Regardless, with more than 3.8 million registered nurses in the United States, this is a popular field that many individuals wish to pursue. In this article, youll learn more about the levels of nursing degrees you can earn and what sets each of them apart. Youll also learn about unique nursing school programs that are available as you advance in your education and professional career.
Jobs With A Flexible Schedule
Flexibility is one of the most important qualities youll need to look for when working during nursing school. If you already have a job, sit down with your manager after you receive your acceptance letter and let her know of your plans to go to nursing school. You might need to work out an alternative schedule if your day job and school start to conflict, or maybe you need to reshape your work responsibilities to accommodate the change. However you and your manager work it out, its best to be upfront and honest with her from the beginning.
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What About Working The Night Shift For Nursing School
I have met many nursing students who are working third-shift while attending nursing. Here’s my two cents because I definitely see the advantages of working the nights while attending school.
If you can manage well working night shift and still be able to study, sleep, and take care of yourself than night shift might be an option for you, otherwise you should stick to a dayshift schedule.