Anybody wanna help me brainstorm best schedule?

[kimtab]

I am single and have a 3yo child. I will be graduating in May and assumed I would HAVE to work nights as a new grad although I have been told by some nurses that ain't necessarily so. So I am trying to figure out what would be my best schedule, should I get to choose.

I did a search on schedule threads and came up with pro and cons for each situation. Any other single parents have a story of what works for them, or anybody else single or not have any pros or cons I left out? All input is appreciated.

Nights:

Good: the kiddo is sleeping for most of the time I am gone. Shift diff is nice (and money is an issue)

Bad: Harder on your body/mind? Have to pay for a night sitter and preschool as well (there goes the shift diff?)

Days:

Good: I get up in the morning anyway, why not go to work. Not as hard on the body/mind? Don't have to switch modes to get things done or spend time with kiddo on off days.

Bad: I get up in the morning--but not at 5am! Less money. Most daycares don't accomodate the hours so I would have to arrange for someone to drop-off and pick up my son (this might be easier than a night sitter though). Wouldn't really see my son on the days I work, leave home before he gets up, get home in time to pop him in tha bathtub and kiss him goodnight probably.

Weekends:

Good: weekend nights pay the best. Might be able to cover two weekend nights between the grandparents instead of hiring sitter.

Bad: Totally trashes the only uninterrupted block of time I have with my child.

I should probably be thinking about my next test instead of this but it weighs on my mind...

Kim

[suzanne4, RN]

Depending on where you live, many hospitals now have their own child-care facility right at the hospital or give you a significant discount at one. Many programs are open to accept kids dropped off at 6 am. First try to find what area that you would like to work in and what hours are available for it, then go to the next step. There may actually be another single mother that you work with and could share child-watching costs, etc.

Good luck..............................

[suzanne4, RN]

You may also be able to find a hospital that will allow you to work a 16 hour shift on Saturday and one on Sunday, then have the other 5 days off.

[RNPATL, DNP, RN]

Kim - I really feel your pain! I am a single father and have struggled with the same questions you are struggling with right now. The biggest problem I have found is that most hospitals only offer 12-hour shifts. While 12-hour shifts are great for most people, it is very difficult to arrange child care for the hours that are considered "non-traditional." Meaning, evenings and early morning. By the way, do not assume that you have to work nights. I worked nights for a short period thinking that it would work out great for me and the kids .... WRONG! It was terrible because I was the one who suffered with no sleep. Working days has made life a lot easier for me.

I am not sure there is a good solution for us out there. I am currently working an 8-hour day shift schedule and that has been great. I go to work when the kids are in school and I am home shortly after they get home. Fortunately, my kids are now all teenagers, but I really struggled when they were younger.

Do you have any family support or friends that can help? Perhaps some members of your church or social group can help.

Good luck and congratulations on graduating from nursing school. That alone is an accomplishment for anyone, let alone a single parent!

[FutureNurseSaga]

What about 12a-12p? or 3a-3p?

Drop them off the night before at the grandparents and ask if they can drop the kid off at daycare in the morning before they go to work.

You pick him up from daycare in the afternoon.

I'm currently in nursing school, a single mommy, and am hoping for a schedule close to this.

***Just realized this thr thead is from 4 years ago. Well I hope you found a solution to your problem.