Full time working moms - how do you manage it?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am the mom of two active kids. I've been an RN for four years, most of that time as a part-timer working two 12's a week. There is an opportunity and call for full time, three 12's, on my unit. The extra pay is enticing with my kids getting older and college looming for them.

The kids are at that age they they could handle my hours, except I worry about two things:

1. My kids are in several activities. I currently have my schedule around those activity days and can't see a way to make it work to drive them if I go full time. Right now my schedule works perfectly.

2. Most likely those 3 days would be worked in a row (per the culture of the unit) and I would have a hard time not seeing the kids for 3 days, basically. I have a longer commute and on workdays I come home, shower, and fall into bed. My kids both need homework help and like to talk about their day.

Moms who work three 12's-- how do you do it and still stay an involved mom? Do you hire a nanny to drive them around or what? How do you handle homework help, etc. when you are working such long hours?

I really dislike the 12 hour shift. I think in some ways it's great and in other ways it kills family time on the days that we nurses work.

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Specializes in OB.

Consider night shift. You sleep while your kids are in school and are awake and available in the afternoon after school hours.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Night shift is what I did also - for 15 years.

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Or keep doing what your currently doing because it is what works for your family right now. Is the extra money worth it? If your kids' activities are important to you and them don't give it up. They will soon enough be grown and out of the house. You can't get this time back. Just another point of view. It is tough being a mom. Hang in there. You will figure out what is right for you and your family.

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OP, why do you want to mess with a really good schedule? It sounds like you have it worked out. Stay PT!

I'm lucky I live in a neighborhood where everyone drives everyone else's kids around. When my kids were little it was rare I didn't have someone offering to take them, and I did the same for them on my days off.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

If I was in your position & could afford to remain part time, I would. As someone else pointed out, your kids will be grown before you know it. Enjoy them now & go full time when they're older.

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Another thing to consider, with a lower income my kids qualified for FASFA. When my wage increased 30% they no longer qualified.

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I echo the others. Why trouble a schedule that works for you? If money is a factor, can you do the occasional extra shift, or be willing to pick up part shifts for others? It would bring in extra money, but you are not committed to a full-time schedule. Especially a 3 shifts in a row type schedule.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

Totally unrelated...

Far, I am always taken aback when you mention when your kids were little or how long you have been working because in my mind's eye, you look exactly like your avatar. Your avatar is not old enough to have kids that were once little and are now large.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

My husband is the primary parent when I work several 12s. Also my family is around to help out a ton too. So I don't pay for child care at all.

The other people I work with pay for child care that includes homework help in most cases.

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Totally unrelated...

Far, I am always taken aback when you mention when your kids were little or how long you have been working because in my mind's eye, you look exactly like your avatar. Your avatar is not old enough to have kids that were once little and are now large.

I'll send you my pic. I do look like my avatar, sans the glasses.

And the cap.

And the 'tude.

ETA: And I think that's hilarious now that I re-read it, because I think everyone looks like their avatars, too.

"You can't have teenagers, your avatar looks so YOUNG!" :roflmao:

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Not sure how old your kids are but teens need supervision and support in a different way then young kids. Sounds like you already have an awesome set up. If I didn't have to commit to working more I wouldn't. And is it worth the stress of the logistics and maybe having to pay someone to do what you are able to do.

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