Home Health for Single Moms??

caliotter3 · Apr 29, 2012

It would be up to you to arrange your schedule to accommodate your child. I knew of a nurse who arranged her extended care patient hours to accommodate her being home for her child. She was allowed to work a seven hour shift instead of an eight hour shift. The client bought off on that arrangement because she was used to getting no nurses at all.

Susan317 · Apr 30, 2012

I am a home care nurse and before my son was able to drive to school I dropped him off everyday at 730 and picked him up everyday at 200, I just scheduled my patients around those times.

tuhcoolyuh · May 1, 2012

I'm in a similar situation, except my child is 3 and preschool is out for the summer. Since I only work 3 twelve hour night shifts a week, I found a teen who wants a p/t summer job and will babysit while I sleep during the day. You could try checking around for a responsible teenager with a car who is willing to do before & afterschool care. Also, any parents of kids in her class or neighbors with kids who go to school with your child may be willing to let you drop of your child at their home so your kid can ride along with them and go home with them until you are off work, then pay that family the cost of before/after school care. Perhaps the school staff could hook you up with another single parent who could use the money or child care swap. Good luck!

Hi,I'm in a bad situation currently working 12 hour nights with poor childcare for my 6 year old child. I have to find a solution. The problem with working days is that her school does not have a before or after school program, meaning I have to be there to drop her off at 8 and pick her up at 3. No job offers those kinds of hours.I'm wondering if the 'intermittent' type home health nursing jobs would be a good match for me? Would it be possible to arrange my schedule so that I could always be there to pick her up on time, and then go see another patient after if necessary? Any suggestions? I'm in a really bad spot right now.. Thanks.

Sadunlap · May 1, 2012

That is a tough spot to be in and as a previous single mum I feel your pain! HOwever, I do know that our particular agency we have many mothers who work per diem (if that is an option for you) and will work 6 hour days at a time so they are always home for their kids and then have the days off when the kids have off school. Those who work full time do have the flexibility of scheduling patient visits around the pick up and drop off times. It would be something worth looking into.

LaRN · May 2, 2012

Just be upfront with your supervisor and let them know you have to pick your child up every day at that time. I wouldn't bring it up during the interview, but let them know before you start getting your own assignments.

jmn126 · May 2, 2012

if you live and work in your own community it may be possible to schedule your patients around "your schedule",,,i drive about 100 miles a day, and it would be impossible to schedule that way, i would have to leave the area drive back to the school/house and then back to my area,,,,very tough to do,,,i would recommend that you find after school child care so that you are not "clock watching", you can drop your child off in the morning and then not worry until your day is done, you also have to consider when there is no school. i disagree about not bringing it up in the interview, as when you are interviewed for a position it is expected that you can do that position, perhaps PRN position would be better if that is an option.

Susan317 · May 2, 2012

When I posted my comment I should have mentioned that all my patients were in the same town that I live. I was lucky .