What area of nursing works well for a mom?

[emptyboxcars]

I am a stay at home mom who will be graduating from nursing school soon. My husband works the standard M-F hours. I am trying to decide what area of nursing is conducive to being there for my kids and for family time. I love picking them up from school and hearing about their day, helping with homework etc. I've learned that most of the important struggles that my children are going through are revealed to me in the car on the way to the grocery store, etc.

I understand there are no perfect hours out there, but am very curious to hear everyone's experiences of what works/doesn't work for them. I also understand that what works well for one person, might not for another. But would still love to hear some feedback on this.

And surgery is out for me. I love the idea of getting to know my patients individually and working with them on a long-term basis, but at the same time, my kids do and always will come first. Ideally, I'd also love to have a job that is mentally stimulating. Is there such a position out there for a *new grad*? Kids grow up so fast and I don't want to lose touch with what's going on in their lives.

Any advice?

[emptyboxcars]

Have you looked at research nursing? Though you don't get to use as many of the hands-on skills that you would in an acute care facility, there is research done in both hospital and office settings. I was in research for a long time, and my hours were 7-4 or 8-5, which us quite family friendly.

Interesting. I've always loved the analytical side of nursing. Can you tell me more about this position and what it entails? Thanks for responding!

[bluewillow7]

When child #5 arrived worked nites..hubby home..when child turned 5yrs of age found job in local school as school nurse, child went to kindergarden down the hall..it was full day kindergarden..and later did private duty care through agencies at night..home before they went to school..in summer did camp nursing..kids went free, I got ranch house with office, hubby visited weekends, but all my family could stay at house all day and night.younger ones went to camp...my other children loved being home with dad..doing mowing of lawns, keeping things tidy etc and me not hovering over them..also came weekend with dad..private duty care through agencies was a good thing for me..but one should get info on home you will be going to..always asked if agency checked out the home..weirdos everywhere...lol

[DocsWifey]

I'm workingfull time in an OSM surgery office. my hours are Monday through Friday 6.30 to 3.30, but most days we leave earlier since he does surgery at hospitals too. I love the hours and love that I can still spend a couple hours in the afternoon/evening with my kids. It's important for me to be there at dinner and bedtime. school starts up again for my older 2 in about a week, so my childcare costs will go down dramatically (compared to summer break). I only need a couple hours before and after school care (school is from 7.40 til 2 pm) and full time care for my little one (she's 4, last year before she starts kinder). maybe an office position would work best for you!

[duskyjewel]

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[duskyjewel]

Unfortunately nursing is a 24/7/365 job. All students know that going in. I interview and hire many people. As soon as a new grad starts telling me that they want certain hours, on certain days, in a certain area....sorry. No call back from me. One of the few benefits that nursing longevity /seniority gets you; is to be able to work your shift of choice.

Well, thankfully, there are employers out there who respect the fact that their employees have lives outside work. OP, keep searching for one, and don't let hiring managers like this one intimidate you or scare you off.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I think the material point is that everyone would love a no nights/no weekends/no holidays schedule, not just people with children. One has to accept to some degree that you don't, generally speaking, get that right out of school and those who feel having children should make them priority for that kind of a schedule rather tick off everyone else.

That being said, the OP seems to merely be exploring potential options. I don't see him/her waving any flags of entitlement here.

[emptyboxcars]

I think the material point is that everyone would love a no nights/no weekends/no holidays schedule, not just people with children. One has to accept to some degree that you don't, generally speaking, get that right out of school and those who feel having children should make them priority for that kind of a schedule rather tick off everyone else.

That being said, the OP seems to merely be exploring potential options. I don't see him/her waving any flags of entitlement here.

Thank you for this. This is exactly where I'm coming from. I'm way too old to have an attitude of entitlement. I've been around the block a few times and know enough to not feel this way coming out of college. :) As I've said earlier, I am open to working nights on a med-surg floor. I think it would be a great learning experience. That being said, there are other areas of nursing that interest me as well, and if I can get a job in one of those areas and it also offers better hours, then so be it. But I am open to doing whatever it takes to get established as a nurse.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You could consider outpatient/same-day procedure sites, doctor's offices, schools or clinics: these generally keep more "normal" working hours than acute care. Not guaranteed they are all 9-5 weekdays, but you're far less likely to be working nights/weekends at these jobs.

It's not acute care experience, but it IS experience, which IMO is better than no experience.

[Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN]

I worked 11P to 7A 80 hours in 2 weeks (off days varied) and for me it was perfect. I would get home in time to get the 4 kids off to school and be there when they got home. Dinner and homework and to bed then I was off to work. If I had to run late in the morning my husband would go home and get the kids to school (he worked 6A to 4P on the PD). On weekends when I worked I would fix a good breakfast for the kids and make sure they had things to do then I would sleep but as the kids got older they learned how to tell when I was in "twilight" sleep and boy did they take advantage of it. Twilight sleep - that point when you are not quite asleep but you do not remember someone talking to you - this is the time they would come in and ask for permission to go do something that I might normally say no to but I would say yes. They slipped in a couple of movies, permission to go with a friend to the lake things like that. But that was only every other weekend. During the summers I would occasionally go in at 7P but that was overtime and I could pick and choose when I would do that.

On my days off I just stayed up until normal bedtime (11ish) and got up with the kids. But I must note that I was always a night person. Working during the day had always been hard for me so nights was the natural choice.

[Nurse ABC]

School nursing works the best for moms I think. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay as well and can be hard to get a job in. As others have said, dr offices, clinics, ect have better hours. I like working 12's because I'd rather have a couple long days and be done with more days off than several 8 hr days with only two days off a week. No matter what you pick it's doable with a little juggling as needed.

[biblepoet]

I have children and I work three 12's used to work 3 nights in a ROW. WOrks well until I tore my minescus. I slept the first day and still had3 more.