New mom cant decide to work 2 or 3 12's

allnurses Guide · Jan 28, 2007

When I had my son 5 years ago, at age 43, I told my husband that no matter what, I was not working full time and I don't.

I work part-time. My child comes first. They grow up really fast. My oldest will be 24 in March, my second is 22 and my third is 17.

Spend as much time as you can with your child. Best wishes!

steph

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2007

I agree with Steph. Children grow up very fast. I was confused on when to return to work, too. I just returned 2 weeks ago. My dd is 15 months old. I now work only about 9 hours a week. (two shifts, about 4.5 hours each) It was/still is difficult going back after being out 15 months, but I am happy that I had that time with my baby. I only went back, since our savings were depleting, we were saving nothing, and we are starting to need some new things. (chainsaw broke, my clothes are ratty, I need a new vaccuum, etc)

I say work as little as you can. You can always make money, but your children will only be little for a little while. They won't want mommy forever. I say work as little as possible, so that you can pay bills and that stuff. You get used to living frugally.

RN_Amanda · Jan 28, 2007

I feel this way too. But am not sure what to say to my manager, being as I was hired for 36 hours a week. And working nights I won't be seeing her. Is it bad to email her about this or should I just set up an appt with her to discuss it?

Chloe07 · Jan 28, 2007

I was in a similar situation just a few months ago. I was hired full-time (days) but have a 10 month old baby boy at home that I missed so much. He's in daycare - and although I really like the woman - it's still daycare.

About a month after I started the job (I'm a new grad, by the way, with absolutely no experience) I made an appointment to speak to my manager. I was just very honest with her - told her I wanted to stay working in the OR (I was still in orientation), but that I also wanted to be home more with my little boy and was there anything we could work out? She said she would hate to lose me and would rather have me at 50% then not have me at all, so she let me go to part time.

I said thank you and had her sign the paperwork before she could change her mind! I am sooo glad I did - I love being home with him, but it's also nice to get out of the house those days I work. I think working part-time is the best of both worlds - even though my orientation will take forever now. It's worth it.

I don't think it would hurt to talk to your manger. If she says no, at least she will know your concerns/wants and possibly could work something out for you in the future. If I had not asked, I would still be full-time and wishing I had tried to do something about it.

If my nm had said no - I would have stayed for the meantime but at least kept my eyes open for a pt position. Your litle girl will only have one childhood - spend as much time with her as you can, especially if you can afford to not work full time. Let us know what happens! Chloe

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2007

I would either call to talk to her, or set up an appt in person.

RN_Amanda · Jan 28, 2007

Well, the only thing is right now my in laws are in Louisiana doing construction and we are staying in their house while they are gone. So technically we don't have rent right now and that is why we can afford for me to work part time. So my decision is to work fulltime and move out of my in laws house, or part time and stay there until they come home. We have been there for a while. Also, I would probably have to go fulltime when daughter is about 1 year old or so because they plan to come home and we would need the extra income for rent. Should I just tell my manager that it would be part time temporary until the fall??

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2007

Try to talk to her about doing that. Of course, you won't know what staffing needs are in the fall. Nor will your nurse manager. So by doing that, you can risk the full-time position being filled by someone else. You would then have to transfer elsewhere if you needed to be FT. I don't know how passionate you feel about staying in your unit. Its just something to think about.

RN_Amanda · Jan 28, 2007

oohh....I didn't think about that. Right now I think there are like 2 FT positions on nights; 1 pt on nights; and 1 FT on days. I will be on nights. I am passionate about staying in my unit because it is the only NICU in this area. I really love it there, I am just stuck in a difficult position. I may just have to suck it up and work FT. I am afraid I wouldnt be able to go to FT when I need to.

RNSacht · Jan 28, 2007

oohh....I didn't think about that. Right now I think there are like 2 FT positions on nights; 1 pt on nights; and 1 FT on days. I will be on nights. I am passionate about staying in my unit because it is the only NICU in this area. I really love it there, I am just stuck in a difficult position. I may just have to suck it up and work FT. I am afraid I wouldnt be able to go to FT when I need to.

Friends of mine took advantage of their much loved position of nursing (twelve hour days) and when they went part time and then wanted their twelve hour day position back a new grad snatched that position up quickly. I am finding that there is a nursing shortage but these primo shifts are not as easy to come by. If you have the shift you want and eventually desire full time in the near future, my advice would be to stay where you are and just work it. When you work twelves you have SO

SO much time off, and I truly feel as if I am home more than I am at work. Ultimately it is your decision good luck with whatever you choose.:smilecoffeecup: