Advice from nurses about experiences

JB2007, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2010

Yes many nurses go into a specialty.

I work 40+ hours a week.

Being a parent while working as a nurse has it's own special challenges. There are many days that I come home both mentally and physically exhausted and if one more person asks (demands) me to do one more thing I will not be responsible for my actions.

However, I manage to make it work somehow. Turn the radio up real loud and sing along. Hot bath and a glass of wine. CHOCOLATE the wonder food. Even though I do give so much of myself at work I somehow manage to have something left over for my family. Really I think they give me back the energy to go in and do it all over again.

coolpeach · Sep 3, 2010

I work three 12 hour shift. I get up at 4:30 am, leave at 5:30am, and get to work at 6:20am. I then wait for the shuttle to take me from parking to the hospital, go to my locker, clock in, put my lunch away, and get to the floor at 6:45am. I offically get off at 7pm, but usually end up staying until between 7:30 to 8:30pm to finish up, give report, paperwork etc. I usually get home between 8:45-9:30pm. That means that I have been going from 4:30am -9:30 pm, and I am pooped. It also means that I have to be back up at 4:30am, and I will only have 5 1/2 hours to sleep after I say goodnight to my son, eat, and take a shower. I do not see my child, talk to friends, surf the web, watch tv, go anyway, or do anything other than work, eat, and sleep on these days. I get one thirty minute lunch for 13 hours so its not much. I do get 4 days off a week , but they are not always 4 days together. Usually its 2 and 2 or 3 and 1.

Lawne · Sep 3, 2010

Thank you so much for your response!! I am planning on having children and a family in the future and I want to make sure I make the best decision for myself. You must have a hectic schedule, but you balance it out. Good for you! Thanks again..take care!

Lawne · Sep 3, 2010

I work three 12 hour shift. I get up at 4:30 am, leave at 5:30am, and get to work at 6:20am. I then wait for the shuttle to take me from parking to the hospital, go to my locker, clock in, put my lunch away, and get to the floor at 6:45am. I offically get off at 7pm, but usually end up staying until between 7:30 to 8:30pm to finish up, give report, paperwork etc. I usually get home between 8:45-9:30pm. That means that I have been going from 4:30am -9:30 pm, and I am pooped. It also means that I have to be back up at 4:30am, and I will only have 5 1/2 hours to sleep after I say goodnight to my son, eat, and take a shower. I do not see my child, talk to friends, surf the web, watch tv, go anyway, or do anything other than work, eat, and sleep on these days. I get one thirty minute lunch for 13 hours so its not much. I do get 4 days off a week , but they are not always 4 days together. Usually its 2 and 2 or 3 and 1.

Wow!! You're awesome! To have a schedule like that must be extremely hard at times. I admire you. Thank you for your response!

LifelongDream · Sep 3, 2010

I just completed an Accelerated BSN program in August 2009. My previous job was as an elementary school teacher. That being said....

I worked on a Pediatric floor, 12 hr. shifts on nights. When I was off, I was too tired to do anything productive. I heard it was much better on days (as far as energy on days off).

I missed sooooo many things with my kiddos.

I quit working as a hospital nurse in July to go back to teaching. To supplement my income, I'm doing flu shots. My mom was an RN when I was a child and I don't remember her missing much. Back then, she worked 8 hr. shifts which are much better for raising kiddos. There are many other jobs besides hospital clinical jobs that you can do if you're concerned about the time away from family. Another option is to work part time. I knew several nurses that worked part time and said they were very content with their home life/ work life balance.

Lawne · Sep 3, 2010

I just completed an Accelerated BSN program in August 2009. My previous job was as an elementary school teacher. That being said....
I worked on a Pediatric floor, 12 hr. shifts on nights. When I was off, I was too tired to do anything productive. I heard it was much better on days (as far as energy on days off).
I missed sooooo many things with my kiddos.
I quit working as a hospital nurse in July to go back to teaching. To supplement my income, I'm doing flu shots. My mom was an RN when I was a child and I don't remember her missing much. Back then, she worked 8 hr. shifts which are much better for raising kiddos. There are many other jobs besides hospital clinical jobs that you can do if you're concerned about the time away from family. Another option is to work part time. I knew several nurses that worked part time and said they were very content with their home life/ work life balance.

Thank you 'LifelongDream.' I am concerned about the amount of work nurses put in, which is making me debate whether I should stop at an RN or continue to get my masters. I'll ask around to see if RNs and APNs differ in the amount of hours they work. When I have children, I don't want to miss out on anything. My parents weren't around for any of my extracurriculars or just in general, so I'm making a promise to myself that I will be around for my kids.

OCNRN63, RN · Sep 4, 2010

I work three 12 hour shift. I get up at 4:30 am, leave at 5:30am, and get to work at 6:20am. I then wait for the shuttle to take me from parking to the hospital, go to my locker, clock in, put my lunch away, and get to the floor at 6:45am. I offically get off at 7pm, but usually end up staying until between 7:30 to 8:30pm to finish up, give report, paperwork etc. I usually get home between 8:45-9:30pm. That means that I have been going from 4:30am -9:30 pm, and I am pooped. It also means that I have to be back up at 4:30am, and I will only have 5 1/2 hours to sleep after I say goodnight to my son, eat, and take a shower. I do not see my child, talk to friends, surf the web, watch tv, go anyway, or do anything other than work, eat, and sleep on these days. I get one thirty minute lunch for 13 hours so its not much. I do get 4 days off a week , but they are not always 4 days together. Usually its 2 and 2 or 3 and 1.

People thinking about nursing should take a long, hard look at your post and ask themselves if they really want this sort of schedule. I'm tired just reading about it.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2010

I reserve as much energy as I can for my family because they deserve a "good" part of me. That means that all of my professional "empathy" is limited to being very professional and not crossing the line. I work in a recovery room, so most days the patients go home or to another area. LOVE THAT. No bonding, they're mostly grateful for the alleviation of surgical pain, and when they do hang out, they mostly sleep.

Being in a procedural area has helped me keep my sanity--as my children get older, I intend to progress to an advanced practice.

MsBruiser · Sep 4, 2010

1.) Do RN's get to specialize in anything?

Absolutely - it is all specialized, other than perhaps a "general" medical surgical floor. The options for being an RN are tremendous - you will certainly find an interesting area.

2.) For those who are actual RNs and APNs (in any field), I was wondering how many hours you work a week.

I work 3 12 hour shifts per week - I will often take extra call - so I often average a 43-45 hour week. Still leaves me with at least 3 days off. Very sweet schedule.

3.) (Adding to the above question) Also, for those who have children, how does working as an RN or APN affect your motherly or fatherly duties/responsibilities?

The days I work I see my daughter in the morning only. But the days I don't work I'm around all of the time. I work in a specialized unit with a later start time (10 am). If you work a traditional day shift (assuming you are not on nights), from 0700-1930 - you will not see much of your children on the 3 days that you work. Once you get used to the job, you will be less tired on your days off.

As for APN - depends on your field. If you work in any surgical sub-specialties, the hours are grueling - 50-60 hours per week. If you work in a medical specialty, it is pretty much a 40 hour week plus some call. All depends on what you want to do.