Whether it’s to advance your nursing career or simply sharpen your existing skillset and stay up to date with the latest medical developments, you’ve likely considered the benefits of pursuing further education as a nurse.
But the problem is, how do you manage completing a Master of Nursing or your other studies when you have 12-hour work shifts? Plus, in between all this, you also have to make time for yourself. In the article below, we have some tips for balancing work and studies.
Tip 1: Prioritise Tasks Based on Their Importance
When it comes to juggling work and studies, there will undoubtedly be times when you have to prioritise some tasks over others. Whether it’s skipping out on dinner with friends or rescheduling plans to catch up on the weekend to stay in and study instead, you’ll have to start prioritising things based on their importance.
If there’s a test or big exam you know is coming up, having a set schedule in the lead up to it will help you best prepare to get the results you need to succeed. Before you make the list of priorities, ask yourself what tasks will help you achieve your short-term and long-term goals. If a particular activity doesn’t fit into either of the two, then reschedule it.
You should also be looking at the urgency of each task. If a specific task comes with a time constraint and needs to be done immediately, you can prioritise doing it first and then move on to the others.
If you need help, the Eisenhower Box is a super helpful time management tool that can help you prioritise what needs to be done. All you need to do is classify the tasks into four headings:
- Do first: The functions that are highly urgent and important
- Schedule: These tasks are important but not urgent.
- Delegate: These are urgent but not very important.
- Don’t do: These tasks are neither urgent nor essential.
This framework will clarify how to proceed with your daily tasks. When you effectively manage your time, you feel less stressed and overwhelmed, ensuring you can focus on the present.
Tip 2: Develop a Flexible Yet Effective Study Schedule
When you commit to completing further studies through formal qualifications like a Master’s degree, you need to prioritise studying. At the same time, you shouldn’t be neglecting your physical and mental health. To best balance the two, look at the work schedule and class timings, and identify the time you can dedicate to deep learning. Remember to keep some time for sleep because, without sufficient rest, you can’t retain what you have learned. The schedule can be flexible, and if you are falling behind in your schedule due to any unforeseen event, you can always make up for it on your weekly days off.
Tip 3: Take Advice From Your Seniors
One of the best resources you can make use of is seeking guidance and advice from your seniors and academic supervisors. They can help you figure out how to create a study schedule that works best for you and which subjects you need to prioritise over others. They can even provide you with valuable study materials and resources, which will make your work easier.
Tip 4: Join Study Groups
Joining a study group can make the entire learning journey easier and a little more fun. Connecting with other students undertaking the same qualifications or classes provides you with the opportunity to share knowledge and learn from others. Where there are gaps in your knowledge, another student can come in and help you out, and vice versa.
Collaborating with people who have different perspectives can help fill your knowledge gap and expand your understanding of a topic. This exchange of information and encountering new information may also ignite a sense of curiosity and newfound love for a subject.
Finding the Right Balance
Striking a balance between your work as a nurse and your studies is challenging. But remember, deciding to pursue a new degree in nursing can open up many new avenues, and in the end, all the hardships will be worth it. By applying the tips mentioned above, you can make your schedule a little more manageable and enjoyable.
