Need job advice

[Megsmom8]

I'm trying to fit a nursing job back into my life. I have a 2 yr old that I've gotten to stay home with so I haven't worked since my 7th month of pregnancy. I have a 14yr old that goes to a private school for kids with special needs in LR (almost $700 monthly and hence my need for employment) and there's no bus so I have to pick her up. I thought about weekend work (no nights please) so I wouldn't have to use daycare. The problem is I can't be on my ankle for 12 hrs (acuillies, calf, and hamstring don't stay stretched out) due to a car wreck in 2000. I went to LPN school 2003-2004 with the thought of continuing on to RN knowing they have more sit down time but unable to complete that financially. I have done 8 hrs which is much better. My experience is NLRVA (didn't like rotating shifts and all the back work) and telemetry at Baptist my first year. Second year, I did temp and agency: nursing home, state hospital, and a pediatric specialty clinic (the best job of them all).

My dream job would be labor and delivery but thats for RNs unfortunately. Also where my family life is concerned, every summer the kids go with me to Florida to see my parents and brothers family and of course the beach. (I have a 17 and a 19 yr teenager too). My husband doesn't usually go to Florida, and this year wants to go to Colorado to see all his family.

I seem to have alot of hurdles to make something work. I thought of a school nurse if one ever opened up because I could have holidays and summers off. If anyone has had a school nurse experience please share. But don't let that option stymy any other ideas you might have for me. Thanks for bearing with me on this challenge.

[whipping girl in 07, RN]

The pay was terrible, but a good friend of mine used to be a school nurse. She loved it but she needed more $$, so back to weekend option in the ICU.

The nurses at my son's and daughter's schools seem to love it. Can't beat the hours, working at the same time your kids are in school!

[Megsmom8]

I'm sure there are trade offs and benefits are important to me such as our family travels. I found out that the two school districts here hire RNs not LPNs. So much for that.

St Vincents is hiring mostly prn work now, which is only ideal if I can work enough. The VA has a program where they will pay your school and your salary after you've been there a year. You have to work a certain amount during school breaks. Thats good for people who maybe can get funding for school but can't lose their income.

I'd like somewhere to work that time accrues that I can go with my family in the summer or at least to cover me while I'm gone even if not paid. It's kind of uncomfortable to think about asking that ahead of time. Don't want to sound like I don't want to work.

[CareRecruiter]

Have you considered private duty home care? You can work as an LPN whatever shifts you like and you accrue 5 days paid vacation if you work 1000 hrs within the calendar year (that's our co. policy at least). Not a lot, but better than nothing. That way you choose your schedule and only have to deal with 1 patient. Plus you aren't sprinting across a hospital unit all shift.

Just a thought.