Survive working while in nurse practitioner school
Let me start by saying that by no means was it easy! Managing full time work as a registered nurse with nurse practitioner school classes and clinical took some discipline and sacrifice. Here’s how this went for me.
I was working as a night shift nurse because there were not any open day shift positions at the time, which did make scheduling around my classes a little bit easier. Sometimes I’d go straight from a night shift to a morning class and then sleep after.
The biggest thing that helped me was staying organized around my schedule. I had candid conversations with my managers about my needs while in school so that they were always aware when I had classes and couldn’t be scheduled for work.
Since I didn’t have as much time to dedicate to studying as I did in nursing school, I had to optimize my study techniques. The professors always published slides before class so I’d make sure to download them into Adobe and then take notes right on the slides during the lecture. This way when I went to study, I wasn’t wasting time ready repetitive notes. This was a game changer for me.
Where are all my nurse practitioner students? What’s worked for you!
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Okay, let's be real – balancing nurse practitioner school with a demanding job feels like a constant high-wire act, right? I've been there, feeling stretched thin, wondering how I'd ever get it all done. But through trial and error, I found some game-changing strategies for prioritizing tasks and truly maintaining a semblance of work-life balance. Firstly, prioritization became my superpower. Every Sunday, I'd map out my entire week. This wasn't just about listing work shifts and class times; it was about identifying my absolute non-negotiables for both school and life. I adopted a simple matrix: What's urgent and important (like a clinical deadline or a critical patient presentation)? What's important but less urgent (like reviewing foundational concepts of 'proto-oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes' for an upcoming exam)? And what can genuinely wait? This helped me allocate my most focused energy to what truly mattered. I found that breaking down massive study topics into smaller, manageable chunks made them less daunting. Instead of tackling a whole module, I'd dedicate 90 minutes to one specific learning objective, then move on or take a break. Then came time management hacks. I became a master of time blocking. Every hour of my day was assigned a purpose – whether it was for studying, clinicals, work, or even just 30 minutes for myself. Even if I went straight from a night shift to class, knowing my study blocks were already scheduled for later prevented me from feeling adrift. I leveraged digital calendars and reminders like crazy. Another tip? Batch similar tasks. If I had to respond to emails, I'd do them all at once instead of letting them interrupt my flow throughout the day. This freed up mental space and made me feel more in control. Finally, work-life balance wasn't just about scheduling; it was about intentional self-care and setting boundaries. There were times I fantasized about that graduation day, just like my 'Class of 2018' photo, as a beacon of hope. But to get there, I had to be kind to myself. Even if it was just a 15-minute walk, a healthy meal, or calling a friend, I made sure to schedule these moments into my week. It’s so easy to let yourself go when you're overwhelmed, but those small acts of self-care are what keep you from burning out. I also learned to say 'no' – politely but firmly – to commitments that didn't align with my immediate goals. My study materials, often displayed on my laptop and tablet, became my focus, but not my only focus. Leaning on my classmates for study groups and my family for emotional support was also crucial. Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and it's okay to ask for help. What are your go-to strategies for staying sane during demanding periods?
