Need Advice

catz123 · Oct 30, 2009

Your situation makes me wonder if you've considered a nanny. Someone just for room and board. Maybe a college student who is persuing a degree in early childhood development... talk to you local college and see if they could suggest a good student. Also, providing you can carry the insurance, your wife could get a job with an agency, this will allow her to choose her own hours and the pay is great. If she works in a hospital every other weekend is required as well as holidays. Doctors offices will be all day most days of the week including Sat. and with young children she will want to attend first day of school as well as functions. The night shift is what I work and is still difficult with children although I seem to be around for them more. I am not a nurse... I do work in a hospital as a cna. Good luck. I wish you and your family a bright and happy future.

Penguin67 · Oct 30, 2009

How is she handling clinicals now, since you are probably out of town as much as you will be to finish your degree? That might give a good clue how to handle things.

Some hospitals have onsite daycare with extended hours that might help.

Your wife will most likely get to work whatever shift is open. Hard to predict that and you have to get through an interview, be offered the position, then hear what is open to her and what units are interested in her. Orientation, at least hospital and general nurisng orientation, is usually during normal business hours, 8-4 or 9-5. After that, hospitals vary a bit. When she is working with her preceptor, I'm guessing chances are high that it will be 12 hours shifts, whatever the preceptor's schedule is.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

Time for hired help at home.

Hospitals aren't willing to be flexible at this time--they have the say-so because very, very few are even open to hiring new grads.

I know that my manager, unless you are an experienced nurse, wouldn't hire anyone with these types of issues.

The fear would be---callouts due to constant illnesses, or lack of babysitting, or schooling, or whatever.

Get a nanny.

carluvscats · Oct 30, 2009

The unfortunate reality for all of us is that it is an employer's job market now, and it doesn't look as though it will change any time soon. Your wife will probably just be happy to get ANY job; I have heard that Florida is one of the harder hit areas. And, she most likely would not have a say in what shift...

If you are financially able, perhaps it would be better for the family if she sought a part-time position until you graduate and are back home. At least for the orientation part, as another poster pointed out, it would be day hours (more than likely, anyway). She could buy 2 or 3 months of regular, decent hours.

Not to sound negative, but the choice may be made for you by virtue of the reality of our present job market. I'm sure you've read many posts where new grads have taken MONTHS to find jobs. I certainly hope that is not the case with your family.

Best of luck to you and your wife!

Millerstudentnurse · Oct 30, 2009

Thanks for your answers, kind words and thoughts.

Forgot to say that currently, my 2 kids are with my in-laws outside of the country---and they'll be back by mid- Nov. so thats why we're handling fine now. She's actually finishing her 12-hour 15 day preceptorships.

Her phantom concern (since we dont know if she's going to be accepted, etc.) is that she can buy time during 3 month training period where the work time is normal business hours--but the problem is afterwards--and as you all have noted in these economic times, she pretty much does not have a say for the actual work time. If she gets the evening shifts 7 pm to 7 am-- I dont think there are any childcare during those times --are there ?

I believe hiring a stay at home nanny might be a tough one if not financially, then in terms of trustworthiness. I dont think my wife can leave the kids with a complete stranger albeit a referred one, can she ?

Well, I agree with some of your comments that probably, she should just cross the bridge when she gets there but just wanted to address the concern now so we can be prepared, if that eventuality comes.

Her thinking is just that should she pursue even a Hospital's new Grad program given the situation or simply go for more stabler hours and if so which route or nurse job position would those be ?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

Her thinking is just that should she pursue even a Hospital's new Grad program given the situation or simply go for more stabler hours and if so which route or nurse job position would those be ?

If your wife needs stable hours that are conducive to family life with young children, perhaps she should look into getting hired for day shift at a LTCF or nursing home.

I know that very few new grads ever look forward to working at a nursing home, but many of these places offer Monday through Friday schedules, 8 hour shifts from 7am to 3pm or 6am to 2pm, and weekends off. Also, nursing homes are usually desperate for an RN to work the floor.

Many clinics and doctors offices would rather hire a medical assistant or LPN due to lower labor costs, so your wife might have a tough time getting hired in that setting.

CASTLEGATES · Oct 31, 2009

I can tell you I've got Thai family who'd love to come over and work as a nanny at your place. I've got 2 friends that met their wives when they were here working as nannies. I plan to run them both through med school in Thailand but a break over here may be good for one of them. The region they're from is conservative and kid focused. All they gotta do is take cpr and sign with the agency. I trust these people with my life. Just my thoughts.

Millerstudentnurse · Nov 1, 2009

I can tell you I've got Thai family who'd love to come over and work as a nanny at your place. I've got 2 friends that met their wives when they were here working as nannies. I plan to run them both through med school in Thailand but a break over here may be good for one of them. The region they're from is conservative and kid focused. All they gotta do is take cpr and sign with the agency. I trust these people with my life. Just my thoughts.

Thanks Castlegates ! Just out of curiosity, how much does it cost per month and initial fees ? And how does this work ? Does the Thai family currently live in Thailand or here in the US ? If they are back in Thailand, how do they get the visa to come here ?

Thanks and looking forward to your clarifications.