Night shift and mom RN's...will it be ok???

Bobbkat · Mar 27, 2011

I have a 3 year old, and am 7 months pregnat with #2. I love nights. When I work a 12 hour day shift, I don't see my daughter at all. I leave before she wakes up, and get home after bed time. When I work 12 hour nights, I am actually able to see her for a bout an hour and a half between the time that I wask up and the time that I leave for work. Much nicer.

kimbalotz · Mar 27, 2011

Wow, thank you ALL. I feel confident now that it WILL be ok. I was just so scared of the change...but you are all giving me such great points. Didn't see it that way at all. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to start my new job!

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 28, 2011

I did nights for 2 yrs, thought I had supportive husband, kids were at start 2,3 and 9. Saw kids alot, they did okay until the supportive spouse I had, decided this would be fine time to molest his daughters. Now I am not saying this would not have happened if I had been home or had another job or no job. Finally oldest acted off so much took her to counselor ( it never crossed my mind what was happening, never) She had an art therapy student ask to work with her and they picked it up.. and she blamed me as I should have know....And I know this guy was sicko but now I would make sure another trusted adult would drop in now and then. He was an alcoholic but dry when I started nights and apparently starting "drinking just alittle" after the first yr. Maybe I was the dumbest wife, mother, nurse on earth but I did not see it coming...

I say this just so others know to look at anything that might be amiss and check it out.. These things happen and it destroyed my family..

kimbalotz · Mar 28, 2011

Nlmoore,

Wow, your reply, quite frankly, shocked and sickened me. I am terribly sorry to hear about what happened to your beautiful daughters. My husband is a wonderful man who lives for his children. There is no danger for my girls. I wish you peace, and Godspeed.

ninaricci · Mar 28, 2011

My daughters are 12 and 16 AND I'm a single mom. I worked nights for the last year. Fortunately my 16 year old is certified in infant, child, adult CPR, disaster preparedness and first aid. They both cook, do laundry and are more mature and independent than most of their peers. My neighbors are home AND I only worked 2 blocks from home. I could actually see the roof of my house from patient rooms! With all that said, it still made me a wreck for the first month...but then everything went smoothly. Unfortunately I found, despite how well my family managed with nights, I am not a night person and spent the last year doing nothing but working and chasing sleep!!!! I am moving to days!

I think you will do fine as long as you recognize, as with anything new, it will take time to adjust and gain your comfort...but you will! good luck to you!