Hello!

Hello!

I just wanted to introduce myself to you all and ask a few questions at the same time :). First off I am 22 years old and I currently just hold an AA, but am hoping to start earing my BSN in the summer. I have really been debating between nursing and dental hygiene, and the big reason is the hours of work. I want to help people, at the same time I would like to have more opportunities to do things outside of work on the weekends, with family and such. That brings me to my first question.

Do all RN's have the same work schedule? I know in hospital there are 12 hour shifts, what about RN's working outside of hospitals? Are there any 9-5 type shifts? Would I be able to have some free-time outside of work to spend time with loved ones?

My next question has to deal with mental-health. I am very interested in this field and I am pondering on specializing is it. I think the term is PMHNP? In order to do this I would go on to get my masters, correct? Would I have to take a year between getting my BSN before getting my masters? Would there be fields in which I could have a pretty steady schedule?

Thanks so much for reading my post! I am looking forward getting to know you all and reading your responses :).

Well,

I am still a student but the nurses I am friends with and have the pleasure of knowing have great schedules. Yes, most are 12 hour shifts but they are also either 3-4 days per week. That leaves 3-4 days off to do family things. If you take a per diem position as a nurse you set your schedule, pick your days and so on, that depends on the hospital you work for.

Good luck with your decision.

Welcome! I moved your thread to the Nursing Career Advice Forum for more responses.

In general, you're more likely to find M-F 9-5 positions in outpatient settings such as clinics, but as nurz2be said, many nurses work 12 hour shifts three to four times per week, which gives them plenty of days off.

As far as nurse practitioner programs, you often (but not always) need at least one year of hospital experience as an RN in a specialty related to the program that you're entering.