Home Health and Childcare Scheduling

[BerkeleyBSN]

Hello,

I just got a job in home health care after staying home with my new son for over a year. It's a part time job and they told me I can expect to have about 5-6 patients once I finish training.

I don't know what to do about childcare and scheduling.

What have those of you with children done for childcare? Do you put your kids in daycare for a couple days a week and then only schedule patients for those days? Does that limit your ability to accept new patients?

Or have you had luck finding nannies willing to change their schedules constantly?

Thank you very much for your help!

I'm really excited to start my new job, but the childcare issue is daunting.

[NursexOx]

I always had the same problem with child care. Luckily, depending on your agency you may have flexible scheduling. I have 3 kids so part time Childcare would cost me $2500 a month here. So instead of paying that I work around my husbands schedule. I do all my visits on the weekends and another nurse does weekdays. I pick up in the mornings when they need help. I'd be honest with the scheduler and just tell her what times work best for you. Good luck!

[NursexOx]

Oh and my availability does limit if I can accept a new patient or not, but so far so good. I still get opportunity to work when it fits into my schedule.

[BerkeleyBSN]

Thank you, NursexOx. That's a great idea to make myself available on weekends. I had assumed most patients needed M-F care, but I guess it's obvious they'll need care on weekends too. :)

I think I'll start my son in part time daycare and then let the scheduler know I'm free all weekend.

Thanks!