Best schedule for young family

[loving2]

I currently work days, three 12 hr. shifts. I'm new to L&D. I have two small children, ages 2 & 4. I love the hustle & bustle of days, but I'm considering switching to a night weekend alternative position. The hours would work better for our family since we won't need daycare and the shift diff is great (we need money!). My concerns are lack of sleep, and possibly losing my "day" slot if I wanted to return back to days in the future. Day positions are hard to get. I'm lucky I got it. I worked one overnight shift and I spent the next day sleeping, with LOTS of interruptions from my kids. I only got 4 hrs sleep in the middle of the day. I feel like I wasted a whole day. What are your thoughts? It seems like the most experienced RNs are working nights. How hard is it to adjust? My kids won't be in school for another 2-4 yrs.

[SCnurse2010]

I'm a new grad and I LOVE nights! Although my husband doesn't work right now so I can sleep whenever I need to. I do find that lose part of the day before and/or the day after, but I like it so much it's worth it to me. If you really think you'll want to go back to days sooner, rather than later, I'd stick with what you have. Personally, I wouldn't want to do every weekend and sleep both Sat and Sun because my kids are in school. I know other nurses that are weekenders because their kids are little so they get to spend the week with them. They just don't see their husbands! Make a pros and cons list then see where you fall. GL!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I started working weekend nights when my son was about a year old and I haven't regretted it for a second. He's in kindergarten now, and we have another one on the way. Yes, sleep is an issue, and if a weekend day position came available I'd take it in a heartbeat. But this is what works for us right now and I'm glad we've got it.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

weekends work best for me right now, I have a 5 year old (home schooled) a 3 year old, and a newborn. I don't want to use daycare. It would eat up my entire paycheck! I dont see weekends working well for you once your kids are in school, though. Maybe cross that bridge when you come to it? Will have senority, so when something dayshift opens up again, you should get in.

[klone, MSN, RN]

IMO, nights works great for our family. However, I really believe that anyone who does this, should plan to have some sort of childcare arrangement so that you can get at least 5-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

I would not want to work straight weekends, though - not with kids in school and a husband that works a M-F, 8-5 job.

[MomRN0913]

well, sounds like it won't work for you based on your night shift experience..

I worked nights for years. I had a child and couldn't take it anymore. Became a single mother when my daughter was 6 mo. I was tired all the time.

Whatever you do, don't sacrifice sleep. You will make yourself sick. Don't think you can work all night then stay awake and care for your kids during the day. It's very unhealthy and took a toll on my health. I even had daycare th 2 days a week when I needed to sleep (exH took her every friday night and I would work, and I worked every other sat night) I still always felt jet lagged.

SOme individuals it works for, for me, not so much. it was fine when I could recover all day sleeping, but not when I had a child to care for.

[loving2]

I believe there may be a *day* WEA available too. Currently, DH only works 3 days/wk. He's trying to get full time work. I never work the same days each week. Fortunately, I work 3 consecutive days, but the days are different each week so it's not a predictable schedule. WEA would be more predictable, but I would have to commit to a strict contract (only 4 days off/yr, no sick calls, etc.) I'm so torn.

[LoveANurse09]

No sick calls? With young children I think that would be hard.