How to do 12 hour shift and raise a kid??

[mp2005]

Hi everyone!I'm fairly new to the site. I'm graduating in May and I am a bit scared at the fact that nursing is all 12 hour shifts and here I am raising a special needs kid. I am probably going to do my preceptorship in Labor and delivery which i love. But any nurses out there in that field who raised kids on their own while they worked? How'd you do it? nannies? a lotta money. on a graduate nurse's salary.Also, anyone know whats the pay for graduate nurse in Labor and D? And is it more for the night shift?If your from florida,better yet.

[Miami NightNurse]

What part of Florida are you in? I know South Florida pays about $10 more per hour than central and Northern Florida

[cherokeesummer]

I know our place offers both 12's and 8's. I have a small child, 2 year old, but I am married and my husband has him when he's not at home with me on my days off or when he's not at daycare. I know for me a 12 hour shift is a lot longer than you would think...leaving for work at 630am, work til 7 or 8 pm depending on report time and what the patients are doing at shift change (always something then LOL).

But I am sure it can be done as I know I have single parent coworkers.

I wish you all the best! I think you are doing a GREAT thing to be able to do all of that on your own - Way to go! I know its got to be hard but you are pushing through, what a tough cookie and strong person you are!

[eandgsma]

I work 12h night shifts. It works for me as my boys are 10 and 8. They go to school while I sleep. I get up in time to pick them up from school. I am married though so their dad takes them to school in the AM and he's home with them at night while they all sleep. I'm a new grad so its taking some getting used to but so far so good. As someone else posted, after a year you can go p/t or per diem. I'd rather work 3 12s rather than 8-5 every day. I feel like I'm missing more with my kids if I worked a traditional schedule. Its one of the reasons why I went into nursing, flexible schedules.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

You should just start looking around.

check online through monster.com, aftercollege.com (or .org?) sites like those where you can choose your setting to look for a new grad program in your city and state. They'll pop up.

Also google your state department and the federal department and look under careers for both state and federal - I have seen several psych nurses needed as well as public health nurses needed and they pay very well with great benefits (we are in CA).. So start with those and look everywhere you can think of, track down the hospitals websites and look at their HR or career sections, that's what I do.

take care,

melissa

[micmac]

I work 2 12-hour nights, which has been great for me. My kids are 2, 3, and 7...I work 7P-7A, then take the little ones to daycare the next day. I sleep until the 7 yr old gets off the bus, and then we go get the little ones. I love this schedule...and I make extra $$$ at night. It's quieter, too...don't have to deal with all of the stuff that goes on during the day. I'm home if anyone gets sick or there's a snow day. I love working 12's because I'm only there 2 nights a week! Good luck...it's not easy, but you can do it.:redpinkhe