Strategies to Balance Nursing Careers and Education
Image by Tara Winstead via Pexels
Did the stories of Florence Nightingale—the Lady with the Lamp—inspire you to become a nurse? Or were you always interested in looking after people? Regardless of what brought you here, one thing is certain: a career in nursing is incredibly rewarding.
As a nurse, you have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day. Even the financial prospects aren’t bad. Yearly, registered nurses pocket anywhere between $61,708 and $142,951. You can earn even more as your career advances, especially if you upgrade your education.
But how do you pursue an advanced degree while working as a full-time nurse? That might feel like an uphill climb. It’s entirely possible, however. You can excel in both if you approach it with the right strategies.
Here, we’ll explore some tried-and-true tips that can help you balance your career and education effectively.
1. Make Time a Friend On Your Side
Time is precious. It’s, however, more so when you’re juggling a demanding career like nursing and advancing your education.
But let’s face it, there are only 24 hours in a day. To make the most out of every hour, you must get serious about time management.
As a nurse balancing work and education, it’s easy to feel like time is slipping through your fingers. But don’t stress over what you can’t get done. Instead, focus on what you can do in the time you have.
Befriend time by organizing your week well in advance. A digital calendar or planner can come in handy to block out time for study, work, self-care, and, of course, rest.
Schedule everything, even minor tasks, like checking emails or taking a short break. It can help you stay focused, avoid procrastination, and ensure nothing is left undone.
Plan your day realistically. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Make sure to prioritize what needs immediate attention. In one of her podcasts, Marie Forleo, who is behind the Time Genius program, says that dividing your tasks between urgent and important is crucial. Your to-do list must contain both.
Prioritize the essentials such as meals, sleep, and family time—before plugging in study sessions.
2. Explore Flexible Online Programs
Image by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels
Full-time education may seem like the fast track to your goals. But it can be exhausting when you’re working full shifts in a hospital or clinic. How would you fit traditional classes into your already packed schedule?
Online learning programs, however, can be a game-changer. They offer the flexibility to study when it works best for you. Why not explore them? Enrolling in an online program will allow you to watch lectures, access course materials, and complete assignments at your own pace.
Suppose you’re working as a nurse practitioner and want to transition to a nursing professor for a better work-life balance. To kick off your career as a professor, you will have to acquire a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing or PhD degree.
Opting for traditional PhD nursing programs will take you anywhere between four and six years to earn your degree. Research online PhD in nursing programs instead, as you can earn your PhD degree in three years. Plus, you can study from anywhere you want—your home, a coffee shop, or a hospital in between shifts.
Though online, the program will help you build critical knowledge. You will explore ethical theories and scientific philosophies. It will also advance your research skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis.
The online PhD program, Wilkes University comments, is designed to be completed part-time so that nurses can balance their studies with their professional and personal lives. You can, thus, advance your nursing career without sacrificing your current job responsibilities.
But just because you opt for an online program doesn’t mean you can take it lightly. Treat your online coursework as seriously as you would a traditional classroom setting. Set aside specific times during the week to focus on online studies and avoid distractions like social media.
3. Join Multiple Study Groups
Navigating the complexities of nursing school and your job all by yourself can overwhelm you. Having a support network in place can make it a lot easier for you to manage the demands of both your job and education.
Join a study group. It will offer you a chance to connect with fellow students, share ideas, and tackle difficult topics together. Struggling with a concept? Someone from the group who’s clear with it might be able to explain it in a way that clicks.
According to Nursing Education, study groups are also a place where you can vent and release your frustrations. People there won’t judge you since they are also in the same boat and experiencing the same challenges. They can, in fact, help you stay motivated and inspire you to achieve your goals.
4. Seek Out Local Mentorships
It will be a lot easier for you to balance work with study if you have a seasoned professional to offer guidance. Nurses at various stages of their careers agree that mentoring is beneficial—a recent survey has found that out.
A mentor can offer insights you might not find in online courses or textbooks. They’ve been in your shoes and can share practical advice on balancing work and study, navigating career challenges, and achieving your goals.
Through their experience, they might also provide practical tips for managing your time or coping with stress or recommend time-saving strategies. Mentors can also help you refine your study strategies.
Another plus side of having a mentor? They can open doors to new opportunities and professional networks that you might not be able to access otherwise.
You can find mentors in your professional organizations, workplace, or alumni networks. A simple, respectful request for guidance can lead to a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship.
5. Make Use of Workplace Flexibility
If your job offers any benefits for nurses pursuing advanced degrees, take full advantage of it. Many healthcare employers understand the importance of continuous learning for their staff. About 80% of employers offer upskilling benefits. Yet only 51% of employees use them.
Some hospitals, for instance, provide flexible scheduling, access to educational resources, or tuition reimbursement. All this can make balancing work and study more manageable for you.
In a recent survey, nearly half—49%—of 968 white workers between the ages of 25 and 45 reported having access to and using company-paid upskilling. You never know if your employer might offer resources or support that can significantly ease your journey.
Talk to the HR department or hospital supervisor to see if they offer any benefits. Some employers even offer paid study leave for nurses pursuing advanced degrees. Inquire about it as well.
You might also want to adjust your shift pattern, especially when exams are nearing. To give an example, you can take up three 12-hour shifts every week instead of five 8-hour shifts.
6. Develop Disciplined Study Habits
Image by Ariel Castillo via Pexels
As a busy nurse balancing work and education, having effective study habits can make a huge difference. No, you don’t have to spend endless hours poring over textbooks, but you do need to study smart.
Recognize the times of the day when you learn best. Some people are night owls, so they can focus better at night. Others, however, are active in the morning. Thus, they can learn more effectively in the morning.
Create a designated study space in a quiet area, so you can focus on your studies without distractions. Break your study sessions into focused chunks, like 25 to 30 minutes, followed by short breaks. This method, known as the Pomodoro Technique, can improve concentration and prevent burnout.
Active learning techniques like using flashcards or doing practice questions can help you retain information better than passive reading.
Don’t try pulling an all-nighter to cram before an exam. It will do no good to you. Staying awake all night can impair your cognitive thinking negatively, says SleepFoundation.org. Keeping yourself up throughout the night would, thus, affect your performance in the exam.
Instead, what you must do is try to review material consistently, even if it’s just for a short period each day. This practice will not only help reinforce your knowledge, but also keep information fresh.
A Pro Tip: Mix up your study materials to keep things interesting. Break the monotony of reading through videos, podcasts, and nursing simulations.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Trying to juggle everything on your own can be isolating at times. But know that you’re not alone in this. You have a network of people around you who are willing to lend a helping hand. So, don’t hesitate to lean on your support system when things get tough.
Also, ask for help whenever you need it—whether it’s from friends, family, or colleagues. During an exam week, for example, you can ask a colleague to swap shifts with you. This way, you get the time you need to focus on your studies without compromising on your job responsibilities.
When it comes to household chores, your family members can help. Someone might help you with groceries, whereas another member can look after your kids when you’re studying. Take help from your professors or academic advisors if you’re struggling with your studies. They may offer tutoring or even extensions on assignments if you face time constraints due to work.
Be honest with yourself about your limits. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, it might be worth considering lightening your course load or adjusting your work schedule temporarily.
8. Always Keep Self-Care a Priority
When you’re busy, self-care can easily slide. But neglecting self-care can lead to burnout. Approximately two-thirds of nurses reported experiencing high levels of job burnout.
Self-care might feel like a luxury, but it is important if you want to thrive in both your nursing career and education. Otherwise, burnout might affect your performance as well as your well-being.
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Simple things like taking short breaks can make a huge difference.
Make sure you also sleep well. Not getting enough sleep can leave your brain exhausted. Performing your duties or concentrating on your studies will become difficult. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night to avoid exhaustion.
Also, try squeezing in some physical activity, such as walking or exercising. It can help you maintain your energy levels and keep stress at bay.
Truth be told, managing your nursing career along with education might seem like a juggling act. But it’s doable if you have the right strategies in place. These tips can help you lighten the load, so make sure you follow them. They will help you thrive in both areas without sacrificing your well-being.
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind but celebrate your wins. Taking a step back to appreciate how far you’ve come can give you the motivation you need to keep pushing forward. Eventually, your hard work will pay off.
