Child care for the single parent nurse

MedSurgeNewbie · Jul 5, 2008

there are a few 24 hr day care places in my town - they can be great

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2008

Do you have friends who would be willing to watch your kids, then in return you can watch theirs? Maybe a fellow student? That would be cheaper than paying childcare. It is very expensive. Or, when you begin work, try to start up a "mommy's group" with coworkers who can take turns watching each other's children. Just be careful and make sure you can trust them. How old are your kids? Once they start school, that may make it a bit easier. I used to pay a teenager to watch my little girl. Its bad to say, but you can pay them much less than a daycare. Plus, cant your exhusband help out too? Or his parents? Good luck!

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2008

Nursing school can be damaging to a marriage, cant it. My husband and I amost got divorced while I was in school too. Also, some hospitals offer daycare within their facility. Its rare, but some do. Just thought Id add that. But your ex should help out, they are his children also. In return, you can help him too. Joint parenting is always best for the kids.

shelly304 · Jul 5, 2008

Many hospitals are now providing daycare for employees. The hospital system I work for is considering this. I overheard 2 fellow nurses discussing this. Both agreed they would not want to put their children in it because when they call off work they couldn't take the kids to DC and go play for the day! Geez!

Good luck in your search!

nickola · Jul 5, 2008

I found someone in my church - a friend of mine called local churches when she moved & got some names that way. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2008

Can you move home? Do you have supportive family?

steph

Simpleplan · Jul 5, 2008

Many hospitals are now providing daycare for employees. The hospital system I work for is considering this. I overheard 2 fellow nurses discussing this. Both agreed they would not want to put their children in it because when they call off work they couldn't take the kids to DC and go play for the day! Geez!
Good luck in your search!

People are funny.

patwil73 · Jul 5, 2008

Although not single, my wife and I work the same night shift schedule and we have two young boys at home. Our solution was a nanny. Granted it cost a bit, although a live-in can be cheaper.

Also try finding a place that offers 12 hr shifts. That way you only need day-care for 3 days a week.

Hope this helps

Pat

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2008

Thanks everyone for all the replies! I have indeed considered moving to where my mother lives so that she can help. That's most likely what I'll end up doing if I don't end up married before I finish school and get some work experience :-) I'm favoring 3 12's, although that means I would need someone both before school and after school, so it works out to 6 "babysitting" sessions a week rather than 5 if I worked 5 8's (where I would only need help in the mornings). I may also end up going the live-in route if I move closer to the facility where I work once I get a job, then I can get a place with one more bedroom. I've also been told that PACU might be able to offer something that resembles "business" work hours.

Thanks again, everyone!

MelodyRNurse · Jul 6, 2008

OP, I am having the same problems. What daycare is open until 7:30-8:00 at night? I personally wouldn't want to have to leave my child there that late when I had to drop her off at 6am to get to work on time and after she has been at school all day. It is extremely frustrating. I don't want to have to do five eights, but I might have to (If I can find a hospital that offers it). I am moving closer to family, but they can't help all the time, they have busy lives too. Anyhow, good luck. I hope everything works out.

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2008

Thanks for all the replies! I'm thinking more and more that I'm simply going to have to move near my mother and then try to work 3 12s at night. My son can spend the night with grandma on those days. I would be very happy to be near my mom! My concern is that she lives in Boulder, CO, and CO nurses seem to all be pretty unhappy with working conditions and MD treatment. I'm going to school in Texas and have really not seen a doctor be rude, let alone abusive, but the CO board seems to indicate there's quite a bit of it. Anyway, you all have given me much food for thought!