[perhisia]

My ideal is to have a career that would allow me to still have time with my kids, rather than having them in before and after school care, and seeing them only from 6 til bedtime at night. So, I've thought about nursing because I know there are the weekend and night schedules. A relative actually works 9-2, while her kids are in school. So I'm wondering if anyone out there can tell me how flexible nursing schedules can be for moms. I'd love to be able to work 6-2, or 7-3, but I often see that nurses work 12 hour shifts?

[clemmm78]

When I was pregnant with my first child (now 19), I had a regular 8 to 3 job in a school for physically handicapped children. I gave that up to go work evenings. That allowed me to be home with the kids (three by the time I was done) all day until about 2:30 or 3. A sitter would watch them for a few hours until they were old enough for school day care. Then my DH would take over and he was parent for the evening.

I think it was perfect for us. It gave me time at home with the kids, it allowed dad to be a more involved dad. The only drawback was that I was perpetually exhausted.

when the kids got to school age, evening shift was no longer an option as that meant I wouldn't see them at all, so then I went to nights. That worked well too for a while.

[grace90]

I'm a mom of a mentally impaired 8 yo boy, and 2 girls ages 7 and 5. I work 3-12's a week on nights. My hubby has his own business that he can bend around my sleep/work schedule, so the kids get plenty of time with him on my work days, and since I'm off 4 days a week, they still see a lot of me. They do miss me putting them to bed on my work nights, but they've gotten used to it. I worked 5-8's for two years on nights, and I feel like I saw less of the kids then and was perpetually exhausted because I didn't have nearly the days off I do now.

[Shawnina]

I don't have any children yet, but I've heard several nurses say that "nursing is the best profession for parents" given the variety of practice settings and lines available. Given the demand for nurses, I'm sure you would find something that would fit your family situation. I can't think of any other profession that would be such a great fit...except for school bus driver...but nursing pays better and has more rewards (I think!)

[RNfromMN]

What about school nurse? Or for that matter, clinic nurse. I think you will find that most nurses have children...& they're not all married either!

[AmyB]

I have three kids aged 5, 6, and 7 when I started my pre reqs for nursing school. I waited to begin until my baby was in school full time.

I was very fortunate during nursing school (I've learned from reading this board) to have been able to schedule all but one of my clinicals for times when my kids were in school.

After graduation, I would have liked to work in a hospital, but wasn't willing to do the day care thing. All hospitals I looked at here schedule 12 hour shifts. I also wanted to be home with my kids after school and in the mornings. I was fortunate to find a nursing home close by (5 min commute each way) that would let me work days (6-2 now, 7-3 when I started) so I would get home soon after my kids got off the bus.

School nursing is another option worth looking into. I wasn't able to make it work for me, but maybe it will work for you?

I understand that my situation is the exception to most of the rules, but I have been very satisfied with my current situation. I hope you can find a solution that suits your family's and your needs.

Best wishes!

[perhisia]

THANK YOU very much to everyone for the input. It really helps to hear other people's experiences.