working nights while taking pre-reqs

[nontrad:PP]

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hi all! i have a bit of a dilemma and would love to hear some opinions. i'm currently interviewing for hospital PCT jobs, including a job at a local children's hospital that has an amazing reputation regionally. my other interviews/offers have been with rehab hospitals, nursing homes, or another hospital system in the area. i feel most excited about working at the children's hospital due to its reputation for being a leader in pediatric care, as well as its great culture among employees.

the children's hospital is pretty difficult to get into and open roles are sparse. the only full-time opening right now is on nights. i'm concerned about taking classes and doing research during the day while working nights (7p-7a) and being able to maintain my GPA. i'm currently at a 4.0 for my prereqs and would like to maintain my academic performance as much as possible.

if it matters, i'll be completing chem 2 during the summer semester, orgo and physics 2 during the upcoming fall semester. i know orgo is a challenging pre-req and don't want to endanger my performance in the course if working nights will affect my ability to focus. i only need to be on campus twice a week and can probably request to not work on nights right before my classes.

has anyone experienced working nights while in school? would it be more prudent to go with another dayshift job, even if its not at as prestigious of an institution?

 

[Entadus]

bad idea, the sleep deprivation is not as big an issue as the circadian disruption. it's a rare person who won't suffer cognitively. even if you can manage to hold up your grades, expect the feel awful and possibly depressed. You'll get peds experience (and nights) in med school, so if it's not required now, I'd advise against it.

 

[nontrad:PP]

bad idea, the sleep deprivation is not as big an issue as the circadian disruption. it's a rare person who won't suffer cognitively. even if you can manage to hold up your grades, expect the feel awful and possibly depressed. You'll get peds experience (and nights) in med school, so if it's not required now, I'd advise against it.

thank you for the advice!

 

[wao2221]

I do not recommend. I worked nights off and on while taking my prereqs and studying for the MCAT. I can tell you first hand that it is awful to flip schedules from days to night and vice versa. You will definitely sleep less during the day. It is very difficult to manage.

 

[esob]

Also would encourage you to skip an overnight gig. There is nothing you could gain that would be a worthwhile trade for even a B in a gateway course like Ochem.

 

[IntoTheStorm]

Do not recommend. I tried this several years ago and had to withdraw. I was so exhausted to the point of tears and not functioning normally. Nights are hard enough on your body to add med school prerequisites.

 

[wao2221]

Do not recommend. I tried this several years ago and had to withdraw. I was so exhausted to the point of tears and not functioning normally. Nights are hard enough on your body to add med school prerequisites.

Glad to see another BSN, RN headed to med school this cycle!

 

[nontrad:PP]

Thank you all for your concern and advice!! I interviewed on the unit and it went so positively that they offered me dayshift! 🙂