Ive always wanted to become a RN and eventually work my way up in the chain. Ive been going to the college and have completed quite a few of the pre reqs for the RN program. But now, I am actually thinking about the long work hours and the hours away from my children and my husband. I really cant see myself working 12+ hour shifts. I know people say you work 3 12 hr shifts and get 4 days off but my son is in BMX racing and my daughter wants to be in gymnastics, so I feel like Im going to miss out on so much of their lives. Ive even actually started thinking about going into teaching. I dont know if Im just talking myself out of nursing to see if this is what I really want. I dont want to work in any other area in nursing except peds and I know, what are my chances of getting hired in a peds dept right out of school?
Please girls, any advice. Do any nurses work 8-5 jobs or is it the long work hours?