Need Help

[Mom2litleman]

Hi,

without telling you my sob story, I have found myself suddenly a single mom to my three year old.

I have always had an interest in nursing and already have an AA so i have a head start. I am desperate to find a career that will allow me to provide for my little boy and this seems to be one of the best choices, but I dont know what to do about childcare.

How do you moms find care for a 12 hour shift or do you just have to be limited to 8 hour shifts?

There is a comm coll here that has a good RN program that I could complete in two years.

For those of you who have traveled this road could you help me feel a little more positive about things working out.

I would appreciate it.

[bookwormom]

I sympathise with your situation. First of all, you wont be doing 12 hour shifts while you are in nursing school, at least I don't think so.

Here's what I recommend:

1)Tell everyone (friends, family, church. etc) you are looking for childcare and your special requirements. Child care providers network and sometimes come through with contacts you'd be surprised about.

2) Consider a family care provider over a day care center-- more flexible. Licensure is good, but if the references are excellent, a non licensed provider can be okay.

3) Advertize for someone who will come to your home. These folks are rare, but I had my best experieces this way. You might point out in your advertisement that the caregiver could bring their own child (of the same age) and that they will save on their home utilities. Check the references and your gut instinct, here.

Good luck.

PS Nursing is a great profession, but some of the other health care professions like Occupational Therapy asst, and PT asst are good too. I'd look at all the possibilities.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Some places still hire 8 hour shifts. So you are not doomed to finding childcare for 12-14 hour shifts. Try nursing homes. They are usually so desperate for staff that they will work around your childcare issues. Or you may have luck with employment in a dr.'s office. But don't count on getting the big bucks in an office.