Night shift and daycare- ahh!

helikias · Feb 19, 2010

You need to find an evening/overnight daycare place. They are really hard to find online. Best bet is to call your state licensing agency and ask, or start calling Kindercares and ask the director -- they always know all the different centers and their hours. They won't mind that you are asking about competitors since they don't have overnight.

You could hire a nanny, but would you really trust her overnight? Best bet is to go with a licensed, inspected agency (child care center).

I know it sounds scary, but I know people who have worked in places like this and really, it will be fine.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 19, 2010

If you are a church member there might be someone the church staff knows about and recommends. I really feel for you. This is terribly stressful.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Feb 19, 2010

I'm a very new single mother too. I relocated just last week to a different state and was able to find a licensed 24hr daycare and so far has been great!

Back home, I found a lady who did overnight (licensed home care provider). The problem was sleeping with a baby during the day. All my night shift co-workers have family, a spouse or community help with childcare while they sleep. Unfortunately, that was not my case. I would have to pay to have my child taken care of not only at night but part of the day (so I could get some uninterrupted hours of sleep). I hated it because I didn't get to 'see' her for those 3 days.

The only thing that worked for me was pick my child up at around 0800 and nap with her during the day and then went to sleep with her that night. I didn't work my days in a row so that I could have somewhat of sleep for my next shift (one on and one off). I couldn't do 3 in a row like I liked or I would just about be awake all the time.

Now, with the 24hr daycare I have much more options.

I echo the advice of trying to find an evening/night daycare.

Good luck!

steelcityrn, RN · Feb 19, 2010

If you have family that would be willing to help you, I say move closer to home. No job is worth the stress. Who knows, maybe there is a better job awaiting you there. I know many people that live for their jobs, in the end they are no better off.

helikias · Feb 19, 2010

I just thought of something -- when's she gonna sleep? Even with overnight care, she won't be able to sleep when they all get home. I will keep trying to think of ideas ... but the sleeping thing seems like a huge obstacle.

jrsmrs · Feb 19, 2010

I would move closer to home if possible. IMO, your kids are only little for a short time- I would want to be with them more rather than less. Day shift would be a lot less stressful and hopefully you would be able to see them more since you would all be on the same sleep-wake schedule. And once they are a little older and independent, you could even consider returning to your current hospital if it suits you.

Alternately I have heard of people who will leave their child with the relatives for the few days they are working and then pick them back up when they are done their work week. Not sure if I would do that myself, but it works for some people.

RosesRN · Feb 19, 2010

tight spot! well, i have heard of overnight nurses having a neighbor high school or college girl sleep on the couch overnight, and pay her to just come over in her PJs and fall alseep.

You can look on http://www.care.com....I have a profile there and I am a nursing student. I would definitely be down to spend the night, study, and get paid for it! You can search in your city, check it out!

Maybe one of your nursing colleagues has a teenage daughter that needs a little extra cash?

Or you can rent out an extra room to a female renter, and do some time of rent reduction for the nights you are working?

Good Luck! You are lucky to have children and a job! I can't wait for both :)

MissKitty21 · Feb 19, 2010

Thank you all for your suggestions and concern!

Pickles74 · Feb 19, 2010

I agree with the "moving closer to home" idea if you have family willing to help out. Your predicament will only become worse as your kids get older and start school. My husband and I struggle with this constantly with 3 school-aged kids (12, 11, and 9). Once they are in school, you can't disrupt their sleep with overnight daycare. If you work days (usually shift start time of 6:30), most daycares don't open until 6:00am, at least none that have transportation to their school (not enough transportation time for you). It's a scary situation to be in - too old for daycare, but not quite old enough to come home after school to an empty house. We work different shifts so that someone is home in the morning to put them on the school bus. Then there are after school activities that one parent has to coordinate alone while the other is at work. I can't imagine having that responsibility on your own! I hope you can work something out....Good luck! :heartbeat

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Feb 19, 2010

Would it be possible to take in a border, maybe a student, and offer low rent in exchange for child care?

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Feb 19, 2010

I agree with some others as well, try a student. Call your local community college and see if they have child life classes/programs and see if one of thier students is looking for a part time job.

As a single parent soon to graduate, I know that if I can get a job that is going to be night shifts. I have started to price murphy beds so someone could come over and sleep comfortably.