kids and being Nurse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I changed jobs less than 6 months ago.

I have been in healthcare for 18 years and 14 as an RN.

I got tired of dropping my kids off at the day care at 0645 and not picking them up until 8 PM.

I now work 7-3, 8-4 or 9-5---desk job and do 4-8 clinical hours per week during those times only.

How does everyone do it: no family nearby, husband travels as a pilot...what does everyone do for child care and holiday child care??

Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
No, this is a myth! Nurses that manage to be assigned to good shifts worked years for the company/department. New grads do not land the great shifts on average. I know lots of nursing students who think the same as you do. I tell them I worked in Health Care and I know that X, Y, and Z hospital/clinic/facility will not give new grads good shifts and are not very understanding about schedules or kids. However many do not believe me because they think there is nursing shortage and they are the ones in control not their future employers.

Ummmmm, I just graduated, passed NCLEX-RN, and got the only position I applied for....a DAY position. AND after orientation (following my preceptor's schedule), I get to self-schedule.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Whether or not you get the shift you want, depends a lot on the area you live/work, and the area you work. Somewhere like OB, where a lot of new grads want to work, and if you live in an area where there are a surplus of nurses, I doubt you will get the desired shift on a desired unit. But... If you live where there is a huge shortange of nurses and want to work in an area that is not as commonly desired, like LTC, I think it may be reasonable to get the shift you want. It all depends on where you live and what area you want to work. If you are willing to drive further, and/or work a less desired area, things can work quite well for you and your family. I live in a rural area, with only one hospital within a 30 mile radius. Right now there aren't enough nurses on any shift so you would get a day shift position. But if the census drops next week and there are too many nurses on day shift (happens all the time), you will get the choice of another shift or finding a new job. (If you do not have senority or are not the DON's favorite)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

I'm still studying (Excelsior) for my exams, but I work nights 7p-7a, Su, Tu, Fri...and I've got a wife and 2 little monsters at home. Wife does not work due to numerous medical problems but my schedule doesn't kill me - I just can't work 2 "full" shifts in a row. I'm lucky, if I need a little extra cash..I just pick up a 4 hour/6 hour shift and sleep the rest of the night.

But some days I just wanna sleeeeepppp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Well, I'm in nursing school with 6 kids, 1.5-12 in age, and I will either have to work nights after I graduate, or hire childcare in my home. My husband can stay at home until 8:30a.m. to get the kids off to school, but then he won't get home until 6:00p.m. My littlest will be only 2.5, so I plan to send her to half day preschool and hire a babysitter who drives to pick her up at hoon, my older kids at 4:15p.m., and then stay at work until 6:30p.m. or so. My mother in law can help with back-up emergencies. I figure if I am out of the house just 3 weekdays a week but pay the babysitter like a full-time job, I may be able to find and keep someone decent. Or I will just work nights. Others have done it, I could too, for my kids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
See, I thought the opposite; that nursing was family friendly in the sense that it can potentially be flexible (i.e. per diem, night shift, weekend shifts, etc)

Well...I guess it's all in what works for that person's lifestyle [mouse] Yep! [/mouse]! The way it's hit my life...If a person wasn't a single parent it would be alot better..or if they were financially set, so that they could afford not to work fulltime...and wanted flex hours like perdiem, etc...yes then it's a definite bonus. Also, a person can work some extra hours with that flex time available..if they need it/get in a jam etc...so that is nice. For those who are single parents and needing childcare...and wanting the kids to have a 'normal' life i.e. be home for dinner/homework/be home on weekends when the kids are home... etc..well, then it doesn't always fit so well! :o

I hope to set myself up financially so that one day, I can just work perdiem/part time and choose my hours to fit my family, that's my goal! I'll get there eventually with Gods help!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, I'm in nursing school with 6 kids,

WOW. :bowingpur :bowingpur I couldn't do it!! I have 2. By myself..and that was and is alot by myself! Anyway... for me to put my 2 kids into even after school care (they are 5 and 6 year) would be close to 800/month... I'm choking on that let me tell you. I hope you can find someone affordable...good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ummmmm, I just graduated, passed NCLEX-RN, and got the only position I applied for....a DAY position. AND after orientation (following my preceptor's schedule), I get to self-schedule.

Yeah but I bet you can't self schedule monday through friday and off all holidays!! HA! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
. I can not see putting my baby in daycare since I WANT to work. I would if I had to work, but not b/c I want to work.

Yep I hear that. My son went to daycare at five months of age while I started prereqs because I knew my now ex would be leaving, which he did...shortly. It was horrible putting a baby that young into some strangers care...truly, horrible. Frankly I wouldn't do it again...now that I'm able to earn a decent wage I'd just figure something out. But that was then and this is now and if I hadn't done it when I did well, I couldn't have made it through school because when it comes to all the financial help I got ...you need younger kids..they just don't help as much otherwise...it's the way the system is. Thankfully we have a system. Or I would never have made it through school.

It's been a long road. My kids have sacrificed a ton, so have I .... all any of us can do is what we feel is best for our families... but it seems it's never without cost. Unfortunately.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU,ER.

I work two sixteen hour shifts a week (32 hours) which is the minimum for full time and benefits.

My one year old stays with her grandparents on those days.

The 16 hour shifts in the ER can SUCK.....but at least I only have to be away from my baby 2 nights a week! And she's sleeping most of those hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

He has made almost $20,000 this summer so we aren't losing money. Just no benefits. I have healthcare, retirement, and a savings plan with my job ALSO I'm going back for my Masters and they pay nearly 100% of my 3-year program approx $30,000 that they do pay.

We are very frugal and have a large savings I just don't trust the industry my DH is in and he is MUCH happier when he gets income and is flying .....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Even if you have debts, you still might figure out his being employed is causing more debts.

The only debt we have is our mortgage, thank goodness!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work two sixteen hour shifts a week (32 hours) which is the minimum for full time and benefits.

My one year old stays with her grandparents on those days.

The 16 hour shifts in the ER can SUCK.....but at least I only have to be away from my baby 2 nights a week! And she's sleeping most of those hours.

Wow, you must be exhausted after 16 hours !! I'm sure it goes by fast with the fast pace of the ER, but I hope you get a good nights sleep afterwards to recover !!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment