single mothers: best area of nursing to go into re: hours and salary?

[rnintwo]

I would like to hear from the single mothers who have found an area of nursing that works great for them in regards to being able to be their for their children as well as financially support everyone well. I dont see how 12 hour shifts would work for a single mom w/o family around to take care of their kids, when would you ever see your kids and who would put them on the bus and take them home from school? Im an RN student trying to get a head start of where I apply for jobs when I graduate. Thanks!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

This is an older thread. I doubt she is reading it.

One of the reasons I find nursing SO desirable is the 3 12-hour shifts. Coming into work five days a week for eight hours does not appeal to me in the slightest.

However, sadly, nursing is not very single-mom friendly in terms of childcare. Older children? Yes. But little ones? Definitely not.

The sad fact is you are going to have to work nights, weekends and holidays. The plus side? You get paid WAY more for holidays (time and a half in some places), and nights and weekends typically have higher salaries. I work as a sitter in one hospital and, factor in evening and weekend differential, I get almost four dollars more an hour. As a single mother, you would WANT to optimize on those nights and weekends (maybe not holidays, but that isn't avoidable).

My suggestion would be to work those crappy shifts for a year and, when you have gain seniority, find a day position. You will still have to work weekends and 12 hours, but I imagine that it would be more kid-friendly.

[MJB2010]

Zombie thread!

[Nurse ABC]

Since this thread is so old maybe she could write back and let us know how that worked out for her!

[nursynurseRN]

Well you can aways call the office for help, at the HH agency when I do perdiem, everytime I had a question or didnt know how to do something I would call the nurse supervisor. I am not a new grad but new to HH and even with hospital experience HH is new thing for me. ppl in HH are not as sick as ppl in the hospital. I think that a new grad is capable of doing HH. In my opinion I think a new grad will just need extra guidance which she can get by asking questions from other nurses and supervisors. When I was new I would always ask to do ride alongs with my boss and ask A LOT of questions. I didnt get comfortable with it for six months. ALmost as much time it took me to get comfortable with nursing as a new grad.

[Lisa1203]

Home health could be a great fit for the OP's circumstances. Pediatric homecare pays well in NY if you get reimbursed directly from Medicaid and some cases would be fine for a new grad. I work in pediatric homecare as an LPN and I know there are definitely cases a new grad (RN or LPN) could handle.

[Lisa1203]

A great idea: get 1 year hosp experience. Try like hell to find childcare for every other weekend and a few holidays. Then work in ambulatory surgery - no weekends or holidays. Sacrificing 1 year could open up a ton of doors. Best of luck and I'm wondering what you did since this is old!

[rks23456]

I'm a single mom and I do home health, it is very flexable and the money is good!

[Jphillips33]

any particular company you would recommend? how muc is the pay rate? Thanks