How do you work full time with kids?

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Not sure if this is the place for the post but I thought I would start here. I have worked part time now for quite awhile. I am ready to get more into my career as a nurse and work full time. BUT,,,,, Nursing is great because it is flexible but nursing is horrible because of the strange shifts. I have young kids that still need watching over and taxi-ing around. How does everyone do it? Day care is only open from 0630-1800. Most nursing shifts are 12's therefore no daycare. If they are 8's no 3-11 nor 11-7. Most of the time a 0700 is too early for day care, as you have to be there around 0645 and still allow for travel time. Also nurses usually work weekends but of course - day care does not. So, I ask - What is everyone's secret?

Thanks in advance,

Pam

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Honestly, I wouldn't know. I have been a full time mom for 6 years now! I just got hired on as a Nursing Assistant working WEEKENDS ONLY 12 hr shift! That way I don't have daycare cost right now (plus husband can watch em). I only have one little one left at home. Daycare will cost $120 a week, (for one kid) if I get put on fulltime. Its going to be tough then. I am currently working myself up to be certified, then want to start Nursing School next Sept. when my youngest goes to school. But I am taking it one step at a time!

Um, it is HARD when you have little kids! Hopefully someone on here will give some good advise, cause I may need it just as well!!

April

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

My hospital has an onsite daycare center that opens at 0600 and closes at 1930. And yes, there are days where we will pitch in and entertain some kiddies in the breakroom so Mom or Dad can finish charting.

My husband works 3-11p, so he gets the kids up and out in the morning and is available during the day for school nurse calls, etc. We have a high school or college student babysitter in the afternoon/evening. My oldest will be able to take charge in about a year or two, so we are all looking forward to that!

Good luck!

Blee

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

i guess my secret is pretty simple, no kids for us.

i an 27, and the way i see it, i have plenty of time to have kids if i want to. i want to have at least 5 years income saved up before i have kids, and that is aside from our emergency fund which is fully stocked with money, as well as retirement, etc..

my secret would be to not have kids until i can not work for 3-5 years.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I don't have children, so I'm not qualified to really answer this question.

However, many of my coworkers who are parents of school-aged kids work the 8-hour night shift (2200 to 0600 or 2300 to 0700). They love it because they are at work while their children are sleeping, they have ample time to get the kids to school, and they are asleep while their children are in school. This enables them to spend a good 7+ wakeful hours with their children during the afternoon and evening. Usually a spouse is at home with the kids during the night.

Nobody in my area really likes the evening shift (2-10pm or 3-11pm), as it is not very conducive to family life.

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Thanks for the input so far. I have a husband, thankfully. However his job keeps him unreliable for child care. So working any night shift or off shift is really not possible. That is my main reason for asking what people do that work full time with kids.

I have noticed SOME hospital day cares are open longer (not long enough) but do not deal with young school age kids. There is no bus service to the schools.

For FairyCari - good secret but what happens after 3-5 years?

Thanks all!

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i have 6 children ages 13 years to 5 year old twin girls they are identical .i work 3 days one week and 2 days the next week.. someweeks i fit in one shift ... my husband is a lawyer so he works long hours,, i have my mom living with us , she is not required tobaby sit although she can if she wants to babysit, i have nanny come in on days i work.. mom is always home she is my eyes and ears and some cameras are helpful while at i am at work.. i find the nanny is about the same as daycare.. the kids are starting school soon and my little girls will be in kindergarten 1/2 day.. i am home during the week most days... i won't be needing a nanny much longer..

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i have 6 children ages 13 years to 5 year old twin girls they are identical .i work 3 days one week and 2 days the next week.. someweeks i fit in one shift ... my husband is a lawyer so he works long hours,, i have my mom living with us , she is not required tobaby sit although she can if she wants to babysit, i have nanny come in on days i work.. mom is always home she is my eyes and ears and some cameras are helpful while at i am at work.. i find the nanny is about the same as daycare.. the kids are starting school soon and my little girls will be in kindergarten 1/2 day.. i am home during the week most days... i won't be needing a nanny much longer..

So your secret is a nanny with a family member watching over her and cameras. I like it - but I need to borrow your mom. :)

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
So your secret is a nanny with a family member watching over her and cameras. I like it - but I need to borrow your mom. :)

you can barrow my mom she is wonderful:heartbeat.. she is 74 and was a RN for 50 years .. she went through nursing school when she was in the convent...... she and my dad went to the same wedding and she left the convent after 2 years and married my dad, finished Rn school , paid the sister's back for the tution money .. she has arthritic kness and hyptertension .. but she's got a sharp mind... her name as a sister was Sister mary theresa... she belonged to the little sister's of the poor convent... does she have good enough reference's? lol' i think she would love to help you out... i'll send her over .... :yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

lol...

at the 5 year mark i could go back to work thanks to kindergarten!

that would be my plan.. if we have kids.. i am 99.9% sure we don't.. but they say never say never ;)

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you can barrow my mom she is wonderful:heartbeat.. she is 74 and was a RN for 50 years .. she went through nursing school when she was in the convent...... she and my dad went to the same wedding and she left the convent after 2 years and married my dad, finished Rn school , paid the sister's back for the tution money .. she has arthritic kness and hyptertension .. but she's got a sharp mind... her name as a sister was Sister mary theresa... she belonged to the little sister's of the poor convent... does she have good enough reference's? lol' i think she would love to help you out... i'll send her over .... :yeah::yeah::yeah:

WOW! She sounds awesome. I love hearing stories about how nursing has changed over the years. I bet she has a lot of stories. Feel free to send her anytime!

555 Wild Berry Lane

Pam

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

I'm lucky, as there is on-school-site after-school care provided that I pay for. My hubby gets kids off to school (If I'm not working PM shift). I only do 8-hour shifts, but the PM shift is my least favorite, as I don't get to see my kids other than the "morning groggies." My oldest is in high-school, and my husband picks her up after sports practices and then the youngest (in grade-school) gets picked up from after-school care.

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