Night Shift RN ~ Married to 24 hour Shift Fire Fighter ~ Schedule Options

Good Morning, Gil · Feb 28, 2013

Similar situation, haven't tried to get pregnant yet, but will soon, if hubby gets offered permanent position. However, I work nights, husband works typical day schedule, office job. Even so, childcare would be an issue since while my schedule is set, it varies each week. So, my plan is to go PRN or part-time if hubby is hired or hopefully get offered a day shift position (takes a couple of years to get on days in my unit, so almost there). I personally don't want to pay for childcare or use it, especially when they're that young, infants.

So, that is our only option, and it seems to be the case with you, as well, unless you have family that can watch your baby at night or can afford a nanny who will stay overnight. If not, you have 2 choices. 1). Wait to get pregnant or 2). Wait until you have day shift as an option or can afford to go part-time. Since you said you are trying to go part-time, that's probably your best bet.

Best of luck to you! Nursing really isn't great for family life, especially bedside nursing while pregnant. I still enjoy nursing, don't get me wrong, but the only way bedside nursing is family friendly is if you can afford to be PRN or part-time.

RN_BSN09, RN · Feb 28, 2013

Thanks for the response! We've looked into the nanny thing... because day care is not open the hours we would need. However, we wouldn't want to pay a full-time nanny... and it's hard to tell a part-time nanny a set schedule when it changes every single week. We also don't have family near-by to help.

I think I will probably switch to part-time (two 12 hr shifts) per week, and just schedule myself opposite of my husband. He will be at home to watch the baby/kids if I need to sleep after a shift. Plus we wouldn't have to pay for childcare or a nanny, which would make up for me switching to part-time.

It may not be ideal... but we would get 2 to 3 days per week with the whole family together... that's actually probably the same or more than most 9 to 5 workers. I just really hope my job is willing to work with my schedule in order for me to work opposite shifts with my husband! :confused:

Good Morning, Gil · Mar 5, 2013

If your management on your unit is good and wants to retain employees, they will work with you. Especially if you are senior staff or have been there for at least a year. They would much rather keep you than have you transfer to a different unit. You owe them no explanation either. Best of luck to you!

I'm in a similar situation, and as soon as we can afford it, I'll be going part time to start our family :). Economy is rough, and hubby is trying to find permanent work. At least he does have a job in his field, just not a permanent one yet.

JennypennyBsn · Mar 6, 2013

Upon my clinicals I met a school nurse who had a fire fighter for a husband. She quit her hospital job and became a school nurse b/c there were some holidays like Christmas where her kids had neither parent at home. I don't know how you feel about pediatrics, but that worked best for her.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 7, 2013

It seems to be a common situation - marriages between nurses & firefighters or police officers. I know that there is some overnight 'day care' services in larger cities. In one instance, an acquaintance (nurse) actually started one when she wanted a stay-at-home job to cope with a difficult family situation... very successful. I also know of a couple of hospitals that provide on-site child care for night shifters.... smart, if you ask me! But this is certainly not common.

You are smart to plan ahead & do what is best for your family. Best wishes for a creative solution so you can begin working on that baby!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2013

I worked when he didn't.....sometimes we just passed each other in the doorway......we made the sacrifice because we didn't want to have the kids in childcare. It's what worked for us.

RN_BSN09, RN · Mar 8, 2013

Upon my clinicals I met a school nurse who had a fire fighter for a husband. She quit her hospital job and became a school nurse b/c there were some holidays like Christmas where her kids had neither parent at home. I don't know how you feel about pediatrics, but that worked best for her.

I had considered this at one point... it seems like a perfect schedule to have weekends and holidays off, the same as your kids. It would be a pay cut, and I would lose the seniority with my hospital as well. Day-care would be a requirement until kids are old enough to be in school. Maybe in the future by the time my kids are school age I would consider it again. I think for now tho, especially with an infant, two 12 hr night shifts would be a great schedule.

I have coworkers who say night shift is actually better with an infant, simply because they sleep so much and you will be awake every 3 hours feeding around the clock anyway. It's when they become toddlers and get on the day schedule that it starts becoming a conflict. But, if it has to be 12 hour shifts, night shift allows you to see your kids more when they're young. I have a coworker with a baby who used to work days... she said her baby would be asleep when she left for work, and about to go to bed when she got home. Working nights she actually gets to see her more, at least for now.

RN_BSN09, RN · Mar 8, 2013

I know that there is some overnight 'day care' services in larger cities. I also know of a couple of hospitals that provide on-site child care for night shifters.... smart, if you ask me! But this is certainly not common.

We had also looked into this... I couldn't find any kind of childcare that was overnight here, unless it was a nanny. The closest I found was an evening day care... I think until 11pm at night or something... and it was kind of out of the way. Plus, then you put your kids into a different environment for bedtime... I'm not sure, but it seems like it could mess up their routine?

I did wonder about the night-shift day care and if it would be successful. There are so many night shift workers that you think it would work as a business... but you never know!

RN_BSN09, RN · Mar 8, 2013

I worked when he didn't.....sometimes we just passed each other in the doorway......we made the sacrifice because we didn't want to have the kids in childcare. It's what worked for us.

That happens to us quite often already when we end up on opposite schedules! So maybe it won't be too much of an adjustment whenever we do have kids. I guess the up-side is no childcare like you said, and also you both get to have alone time with the kids... esp for dad to know how to do things for the baby from the time they were born without needing mom there 24/7 to help. It may be a good thing!

Lesley Cook · Mar 8, 2013

I too have a fire fighter partner, who has a rotating shift. he works 2 days 2 nights then has 4 days of. I work earlys lates and nights. The way I coped with 4 children is to pretend I was a single parent and organize child care around my shifts. You have to look forward and request well in advance to make sure either I or my partner was home at night. My children have grown up now and they have children. My advice to you is to prioritise your children, they grow up but work will always be there. Communicate with your boss, and reduce your hours if you need to. I had a great day care mum- I,ve never used a centre- who was willing to provide overnight care, although I never needed it.

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2013

I worked when he didn't.....sometimes we just passed each other in the doorway......we made the sacrifice because we didn't want to have the kids in childcare. It's what worked for us.

I often pass my husband in the hall or have him cuddle me when I'm sleeping and I do the same when he sleeps. It's hard, but the sacrifice is worth it IMO

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)