A CVICU nurse wants more time to be with her family

Biffbradford · Aug 18, 2014

Try cardiac step down, but I don't think that would be a solution to the time problem. You'll have to cut your hours, honestly.

gassy2be · Aug 19, 2014

Full time hours won't change no matter where you are. Perhaps consider going part time?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2014

What did you do before ICU? Are you a new grad?

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2014

Is dropping to part-time an option? I had my 5th baby a little over a year ago, and I dropped to a 0.5 FTE. I love it!! I work my five shifts in a row every two weeks, get to do what I love, and then I have a 9-day stretch when I can do the stay-at-home mom thing. I feel like it's the best of both worlds. :)

Unfortunately your hours are not specific to CVICU. 12 hour shifts are long, and leave us precious little time with family on the days we work. (My last job was 12-hour day shifts in an LTACH; I'd come home beyond exhausted and mentally wrung out, and the second I walked in the door it was "Mommy, Mommy!!!" I was happy to see their smiling faces, and they were happy to see me since I'd left before they got up...but then it was their bedtime. Between staying to chart and my commute, I'd frequently get home at 2100. All that to say, I get it) 8 hour shifts means we have fewer days off. But that's true for nursing in general.

The mom of one of my oldest daughter's friends works from home doing case management for an insurance company; she had worked in an allergy clinic, but wanted to be home w/ her kids. I can't imagine it's easy actually getting work done with babies around, but she makes it work.

Big hugs, mama. I know it's hard!!

neurontin · Aug 20, 2014

Hi you all, I really appreciate your replies!

i worked at Cardiac step down for almost one year. That was before I have my baby.

Here.I.Stand, you know exactly what I feel as a working mom. You have five children? How do you make it work?

my stress is also from the fact that some experienced coworkers are not patient to a newbie like me.

Anyway, I am thinking to be a part-time at some point.

thank you very much for your input.very helpful!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2014

With lots of help and a supportive husband! We work opposite shifts so one of us is home most of the time. Otherwise, his parents babysit. We've only used daycare a couple of times on a temp basis while his parents fly overseas (they're Korean.) The two that are in elementary school go to after-school care. I'm a huge fan of easy meals; we do a lot of lasagna that can be assembled ahead of time, homemade soups and stews w/ a salad and rolls, Korean beef BBQ which is also prepped in advance and pan-fried before serving, pulled pork in the crock pot, etc. My 12 y/o does her own laundry. My husband does a lot of the driving the kids to their activities. Sometimes it feels like I blinked and another week is gone, but it all works out.

I'm sorry your colleagues are like that. That's got to be frustrating.

Here.I.Stand, you know exactly what I feel as a working mom. You have five children? How do you make it work?
my stress is also from the fact that some experienced coworkers are not patient to a newbie like me.

duskyjewel · Aug 20, 2014

I'm a CNA on the way to being a nurse, and I have five kids and work three NOC 12s a week. Sometimes four for extra money, but not often. My husband has the standard M-F 8-4 job, so Here.I.Stand and I are a lot alike. The opposite shifts thing can be hard sometimes, but we make it work. My kids are older, 16 down to almost 7, and all of them have chores and know how to do laundry. I started this career when my youngest was getting ready for kindergarten, and I don't know how people do it while still having babies. Mad respect to those of you who do.

Do you have family around who can take the little one while you sleep? Would opposite shifts from your husband be an option?

PS Here.I.Stand, you're killing me. Now I want bulgogi and kimchee! My hubs was stationed in Korea for a year and fell in love with the food, then introduced me to it. :)