Do any nurses work "normal" hours??

nohika · Nov 18, 2009

From my understanding (and I'm not a nurse) most nurses work twelve-hour shifts, three times a week. Depending on where you are, you may have to alternate weekend shifts. In a few cases you can work eight-hour shifts, but those would be five times a week.

Sparrowhawk · Nov 18, 2009

If you got a Dr's office job, you'd have "normal" hours..but that's about it as far as I know.

mamamerlee, LPN · Nov 18, 2009

There are many jobs that have 'normal' hours, but the competition is tough, and will include nurses with many years' experience. Jobs in Dr's offices, insurance companies, out-patient facilities, clinics. School nursing. Many others.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2009

What do you mean by "normal" hours?

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Nov 18, 2009

Case management, large insurance hq, public health nurse. However, these will want you to have at least a little experience. Md ofcs will hire and have normal hours, but in my experience pay less.

rachelerin · Nov 18, 2009

Take into consideration that many hospitals have 24 hour childcare. You can leave your child there up to 30 minutes before and after your shift.

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · Nov 18, 2009

A lot of nurses do research nursing I did it for a year but the down side is it is usually funded by grants and when that is gone so was my job. But while I did it it was a lot of fun. I chose not to pursue it after the grant ended because I hated looking for another job. Oh btw research nursing has a lot of perks. I got to go to a lot of really keen inservices in other cities. I don't know if they still do that because I heard from friends that there is no more pens or trips for new drug trials

sunnycalifRN · Nov 18, 2009

There are 8-5 jobs in nursing, such as clinic RN, endoscopy, same day surgery but as others have stated, there's competition for those jobs cuz other RN's with the 12 hr shifts & weekends are looking to change.

So, I guess the realistic answer for a new grad nurse is, No.

But, on a positive note, there were single moms in my nursing class who somehow made it through, but I think they did have some family support.

littleneoRN · Nov 18, 2009

There are many many places that have 8 hour shifts. Yes, that's five days a week, but that is what you do in most full time jobs. I think there are geographical pockets where you might only find 12 hour shifts, but in most places there are options for both shift lengths.

sunnycalifRN · Nov 18, 2009

Oh, I forgot to mention this. If you have "enlightened" nurse managers, they "might" structure your job around your childcare needs. I only say this because one of our RN's (not a single mom, tho) works only 8's because she's got to "pick up the kids".

I don't know how common this is, tho.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Nov 18, 2009

Hi! I'm not a nurse, (yet), but am a mom and want to let you know that you *might* find that non-traditional work hours might allow you to be there for your son moreso than traditional hours.

I think there are a lot of shifts that nurses work that might allow you to have more time with your son. If you just started nursing school, you might not finish until he's in school.

If you work "traditional" hours, 8-6ish, you'd need before and after school care and transportation. That is not always easy to arrange. If you worked weekends, nights or graveyards, you'd have more time with your son, I think and might have an easier time finding someone to help care for your son.

It's good you're thinking of these things, now, though. Perhaps by the time you finish, you'll be able to figure out a licensed day care option, you'll be able to arrange with family to help or you'll be married. (;

G/L! I used to be a single mom to 2 while in school and now I'm married with 3, so I understand your concerns.