How do I manage online classes while working 50 hours a week in clinical rotations?

Coursework doesn't stop when clinical starts. 127 of the 154 programs we track deliver at least part of their coursework online, and in plenty of them it keeps running through the clinical year, so expect classes on top of 50-hour OR weeks. Block your first Sunday each quarter to map every due date, then front-load discussion posts and assignments before clinical days begin. Use the first 2-3 weekends to complete all discussion boards in advance and start bigger assignments like papers or presentations. Avoid forcing yourself to study after exhausting 10-hour OR days when your brain is fried. Instead, take notes during the day and review them when you're mentally fresh.

Should I try to study after long clinical days in the OR or wait until I'm rested?

Forcing yourself to study after a 10-hour OR day is counterproductive when your brain is fried from clinical work. Write down quick "review this later" notes in a notepad during or right after clinical days, then revisit the material when your neurons are actually firing. This approach respects your mental capacity while keeping you on track. Sleep is not the thing to cut: nothing you read at 11pm after a 10-hour OR day is going to survive until morning anyway.

What's the best way to handle APEX workbooks during clinical rotations?

Integrate APEX workbooks into your studies from day one rather than waiting until they're due during clinical quarters. APEX Password Protected Exams are typically spread across clinical quarters so they're not all due at once, but the workbooks themselves are daunting and time-consuming. Students who wait until the last second create unnecessary stress and headaches. Starting early allows you to absorb the material properly while managing your clinical workload effectively.

How should I handle care plans and case logs while juggling online classes and clinical work?

Keep up with logging throughout each clinical day if your site allows it, rather than letting documentation pile up. For care plans, complete one on your very first patient of the day since you're already reviewing their past medical history and lab values. Fill in additional care plans as time allows throughout the day. This approach prevents the overwhelming backlog that happens when you try to catch up on documentation while also managing online coursework and assignments.

What does a typical online class schedule look like during CRNA clinical rotations?

In my program, two online classes ran alongside 50-hour OR weeks. One focused on APEX workbooks and Password Protected Exams spread across clinical quarters, while the second covered doctoral-level concepts like Evidence Based Practice and Healthcare Policy, with one discussion board weekly plus at least two classmate replies and a paper or presentation mixed in. Every program structures this differently, so check your own curriculum plan rather than assuming mine matches yours. On top of formal coursework, expect daily or weekly care plans, preceptor evaluations, and clinical case logs.

Managing Online Classes While Working 50 Hours in the OR

So you’re in a front-loaded program, and you THOUGHT that all of your class work was over the second you hit clinical… think again! Managing online classes while working 50 hours a week in the OR is challenging, but it’s doable. As daunting as the title of this post sounds… The good news? It’s doable. The better news? I’ve already made the mistakes, so you don’t have to. Here is how my program is set up during clinical:

Quick Answer

Coursework doesn't stop when clinical starts. 127 of the 154 programs we track deliver at least part of their coursework online, and in plenty of them that coursework runs straight through the clinical year, so expect classes on top of OR weeks. Block your first Sunday each quarter to map every due date, then front-load discussion posts and written assignments before clinical days begin.

How Can You Effectively Manage Online Classes and Clinical Hours While Working 50 Hours a Week in the OR?

2 online classes 1. One class is dedicated to APEX workbooks and APEX Password Protected Exams (PPE)s. These are spread out across clinical quarters/semesters so they’re not all due in one quarter!

If your program has APEX workbooks due at any point in the program, I highly recommend integrating them day 1 into your studies!! They are daunting to say the least, and you’ll save yourself soooo many headaches by just incorporating them early on so they’re done well before they’re due (just ask my classmates who waited until the last second) 2. A second class dedicated to Doctoral level concepts (ex: Evidence Based Practice, Healthcare Policy and Advocacy, and our Capstone DNP project to name a few). This class usually consists of 1 Discussion Board a week with at least 2 replies to classmates, and either a paper, PowerPoint, or some other presentation thrown into the mix as well.

Anddd don’t forget about your daily/weekly careplans, preceptor evals, and clinical case logs! Sound like a lot? Follow these simple steps to stay on top of your school work so you can really immerse yourself in the clinical experience!

1. FIRST Sunday of the Quarter/Semester = Prep Day Don’t let Sunday just be about iced coffee and doom scrolling. This is the day you:. Download all your docs. Yes, all of them. Print/screenshot/save syllabi. Map out due dates for projects, discussion boards, exams. Knock out that first discussion board post before Monday even knows what hit it. Future you will thank you.

2. Front-Load Like Crazy The first couple weekends are gold. Use them to crush assignments, papers, or discussion responses in advance. I usually try to get alllll of my Discussion Boards done in the first 2-3 weeks. Then, start working on those bigger ticket assignments (papers, PWPTs, etc). Coffee shops are your best friend. Think of it as building a buffer so that when real life (SEE prep, family time, or just needing to stare at a wall for 3 hours) happens, you’re not behind.

3. Don’t Force the Post-Clinical Grind Clinical is exhausting. Your brain is fried. Forcing yourself to study after a 10-hour day in the OR is like trying to do calculus after running a marathon. If you need sleep, sleep. Write down “review this later” notes in a notepad and revisit them when your neurons are actually firing.

4. Case Logs & Care Plans = Stay Ahead Keep up with logging. Seriously. Do it throughout the day if your site allows it. And for care plans? If you can’t peek at patients the night before, do one on your very first patient of the day, you’re already knee-deep in their PMH and labs. Then fill in the rest as time allows.

5. Protect Your Sanity with Fun Put events on the calendar that make you excited! Local concerts, hiking, or even a quick trip home on the weekends. Having something to look forward to keeps you from feeling like your entire life is school, OR, sleep, repeat.

6. Streamline & Give Yourself Grace Find ways to automate and simplify your life (meal prep, preset alarms, a clinical bag that lives by the door). And above all: GIVE. YOURSELF. GRACE. You’re not lazy if you need a nap, you’re human. This season is tough but temporary.

How Do You Balance Online Classes and OR Shifts?

Balancing online classes with 50 hours in the OR isn’t about perfection. it’s about strategy. Prep early, get ahead, protect your time, and don’t forget to live outside of school. If you want to hear from SRNAs and understand more about what it’s like as a CRNA school student, join us inside The CRNA Club Membership – the only community with SRNA mentors ready to answer your questions and support you on your journey to CRNA school acceptance.

Ready to find your perfect CRNA school match? Use our Free School Database to quickly filter and find programs you meet the requirements for in a matter of clicks!

How to Manage Online Classes While Being in the OR 50 Hours a Week

How Can You Effectively Manage Online Classes and Clinical Hours While Working 50 Hours a Week in the OR?

How Do You Balance Online Classes and OR Shifts?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage online classes while working 50 hours a week in clinical rotations?

Should I try to study after long clinical days in the OR or wait until I'm rested?

What's the best way to handle APEX workbooks during clinical rotations?

How should I handle care plans and case logs while juggling online classes and clinical work?

What does a typical online class schedule look like during CRNA clinical rotations?

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