Kids and working 8-5pm

[KalipsoRed21, BSN, RN]

So my surgery clinic position is 8-5pm. We hypothetically get a lunch. I say "we", but it is just me and an LVN 20-30 patients a day total spread across 8 different surgical specialties. 
 

I also have a 3 year old and am the breadwinner for my family. I just can't help but feel I'm missing out on her growing up. I want to participate in her day school, but it is 8:30-2:30. I want to take her to gymnastics or dance class, but the latest classes are at 6pm. I barely make it in time and if clinic runs late I don't get to go and my husband won't take her so she misses it entirely. 
 

If I'm lucky enough to get home at 5:45pm, I get to see her for 2 hours before bed. I just can't figure out which is better, not seeing her at all for 3 days a week and missing half the holidays. Or seeing her very little everyday, and getting holidays?

And I'm amazed that I now work "8 hour" days and feel as exhausted when I get home as I did when working the floor. I want a 6 hour 5 day a week job? Not bedside, preferably no surgeons. ??

[TinyDancer01]

Your best bet would be some type of remote job or 12 hr position. (School nurses don't get paid well otherwise I'd suggest that.) I don't know of many office jobs where you get out by 2-3pm unless you could find a part time or flexible hour job. I'm less tired working 3 days a week in the hospital than I was 5 days a week in the schools even though I'm on my feet more. We only work 2 holidays a year. Other places work every other one but you won't have to work all of them. 
I know everyone tells you this but they do grow up fast and you don't get this time back. There is no perfect position. They all have advantages and disadvantages so pick the one that aligns closest with your goals. 
I actually left school nursing and did a 12 hr position for a year and decided to go back to school nursing just for the summers off with my kids and my son who was 10 at the time was upset I would no longer be home some of the mornings to get him up for school (even though it was only half the week I usually could). LOL! He WAS happy when he realized I'd be off all Summer though but I didn't realize he would feel like that.

Good luck! It's so hard to balance it all!

[Achevy, BSN, MSN]

Have you thought about School Nursing?  Depending on your state, the pay cut might not be too deep.  I work 0715-1500.  I'm off all the same holidays as my kids plus Spring break and christmas break, etc.  I choose to also work during the Summer at a Summer camp, but you wouldn't have to!  If you need to be the breadwinner, you could always pick up PRN at a hospital during the Summer too.