12 hr shifts and the single mom

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in neuro/med surg, acute rehab.

Any single mom nurses out there work 12 hr shifts?? What do you do? I am struggling to find care for my 18 mon old. My mom has been picking him up from daycare but her health is poor. What do you do? Thanks.

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Specializes in ICU.

I became a single mom when my D was 6 months old. I was per diem, and went back to full time nights. I had joint custody with my exh. He took her on the nights I worked and I pretty much had to do weekends. Wasn't working for me anymore, wasn't working for him either. Then I went to days but couldn't hack it with the child care sitch. It was very difficult.My DD is now 5 and started kindergarten. I want my 12 hour shifts back sooooooo bad. But wih school it's nothing to work:(For an 18 month old I would say the way to go is to hire a nanny. I know it's difficult and I wish you the best of luck and Im sorry about your mom. With no help and family support, it is very hard to do shift work.

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Not a single mom but other issues. I took a job in utilization review for an insurance company. Monday through Friday 8 to 5, and I work from home. Not the most exciting job ever, but it helps with the situation right now. Good luck in your search, I know it's tough!!

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Specializes in ICU.

I've been trying to get a job like that loci life. Not having an easy time. I work in HH/ hospice but is by far too much work for me as I work a full 8 hour day and have tons left over for home.Nursing is a difficult career hours wise for a single mom, especially of young children

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I had a live in nanny when my son was little. My mom would swing by the house to check on them. Have you tried looking for a daycare? Some daycares open at 6 am. I recently posted a babysitting job at care.com. There were a lot of responses. I was able to find one within a day. She was great with my kids. The good thing about care is the nannies have been background checked, the downside is you have to pay a membership fee. I think I chose 1 month only. Make sure you cancel your membership if you don't need the service anymore (even when you have specified 1 month only) because they would automatically renew your membership.

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does your hospital have child care? I don't think this is too common, but I've heard that some do.

Are there any other single parent nurses that you work with, where you could help each other out? maybe you could work clinic/office jobs? I dont know how much experience you have, but its worth applying.

I hate working 12s. luckily I don't have kids yet, but I can't imagine how single parents do it. Best of luck to you!

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Regarding nannies, all the nannies in my area are *at minimum* $10.25/hrbut generally between $12-15 up to $20. Even at only $10/hour for full-time of 160hours, that's $1600. Basically an entire take home pay checks I don't understand how a single parent can afford that??!! 😳😫

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