If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed attempting to balance study, work, family, and clinical practice, you are not alone.
As the composition of the workforce continues to shift and the need for dual-income family units rises, balancing work and non-work life has become more challenging.
While additional funds are now needed for groceries, bills, and other daily necessities, the amount of work required to run a household does not decrease proportionally, meaning there is more overall work to do for every family unit, and less time to do it.
For those in the healthcare industry who want to advance their career, additional study is often required, which can make finding balance even more difficult. If, however, the right strategies and time management tools are adopted, studying, working, and maintaining a healthy social or home life is achievable.
Common challenges faced by healthcare career-changers
Healthcare professionals who are looking to change or further their career will often face significant challenges, including:
- Difficulty allocating enough time for work, family, and study.
- Higher levels of stress while attempting to meet deadlines for both work and study, while also managing personal obligations.
- Experiencing burnout from attempting to manage multiple responsibilities and roles. Burnout can lead to chronic fatigue, reduced performance at work, and emotional detachment.
- Reduced motivation and concentration from a lack of rest or relaxation.
- Feelings of isolation that can reduce one’s quality of life.
Practical strategies to manage competing responsibilities
A recent study exploring the balance of family, work, and academics in female nursing students uncovered that most coping strategies for these common challenges could be divided into several subthemes.
For instance, social support (with three sub-subthemes: family support, support from friends, and support from significant others), engagement in recreational activities, rest and sleep, relaxation, and prayer and inspiration.
Drawing on this knowledge, we have provided several practical strategies to manage competing responsibilities that align with these subthemes.
Consider your study options
Before enrolling, review all your providers and the courses they offer.
For clinicians seeking flexibility, an online DNP-FNP pathway, such as those offered at Baylor University online, can allow advanced study to fit more realistically alongside work and family commitments.
Some providers may also offer breaks throughout the course, or allow you to take on studies part-time. Flexibility will help allow for relaxation, recreation, and rest time.
Create a schedule
When attempting to balance work, study, and home life, time-blocking becomes essential. Creating a schedule using a task management app that includes work, study, self-care, and family time can help ensure each priority receives the attention it requires. Establishing a consistent, daily routine can also help reduce stress and keep productivity levels high.
Engage family and friends for support
‘Family compromising’ is often necessary when you are at capacity, meaning other members of the unit need to chip in. Engaging your friends or family for support provides essential emotional and practical help needed to prevent burnout.
This may look different for every family, but having all chores allocated weekly, asking for additional support with tasks like childcare or school drop-off and pick-up, or pulling everyone together to prep easy lunches and dinners can help make a busy schedule run much more smoothly.
Work smarter, not harder
If you’re looking to advance your career in healthcare, your advanced studies very likely relate to your current job. Because of this, there can be opportunities to align your study assignments with your professional tasks, which can make your time and effort dual-purpose. Your workplace may even provide you with assistance and offer time off to study, when the benefits to them are also clear.
While balancing work, family, and study can seem overwhelming, implementing the right strategies can make it achievable. If you consider your study options, create a realistic schedule and stick to it, engage your support systems, and learn to combine your work and school efforts, you’ll not only achieve your study goals but maintain your personal and professional life, too.
