I need some opinions. I am a new graduate RN (passed boards in July 2016) and had my daughter in August 2016. I took a clinical research coordinator position at the beginning of the year. I had a background in research/science before getting my RN and thought that this was my ideal job. The pay is good and I have a university position with 8-4 hours M-F and no holidays or weekends. However, I have close to an hour commute each way and every day when I head home I get upset at the time I am away from my daughter. She wakes up at 6am and goes to be bed around 7:30pm, so I only get about 2-3 hours a day with her during the week (she naps from 4-5:30pm).
I am thinking about looking into a floor nursing job working rotating 3 12hr shifts. I like the idea of building my nursing skills as I never worked as floor RN. Also, I think working 3 shifts would allow me more time with my daughter. As it is right now, I take her to daycare around 7am and my husband picks her up around 3:30-4pm, so she is at daycare the majority of the week. My husband works daylight hours 5:30am-3pm so this would be a big change for us.
RN parents of small children please tell me what you prefer and works for you. My concerns are holidays away from baby/ family, daycare costs for full time (and we want to have another baby) and time with my spouse since we will be on different schedules. Any input you have would be great!
I have three kids under 8. I find that 3 12 hr. shifts a week are suitable for my family. I like doing the 12s because I then get four days off a week. Don't get me wrong it can be exhausting and usually one day off I use as a lazy day for recovery and don't accomplish much. I also find that it is hard to leave for work before my kids are awake and come home to them sleeping, but I feel the days off are worth it and allow more quality time than if I worked a 9-5 everyday. Night shifts on 12s can be hard though because sleep becomes an issue when you have kids regardless of the field you work in. But the shifts you work depends solely on your own preference. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your family. Good luck!:)
NurseLife88, ADN, RN
1 Article; 107 Posts
I have three kids under 8. I find that 3 12 hr. shifts a week are suitable for my family. I like doing the 12s because I then get four days off a week. Don't get me wrong it can be exhausting and usually one day off I use as a lazy day for recovery and don't accomplish much. I also find that it is hard to leave for work before my kids are awake and come home to them sleeping, but I feel the days off are worth it and allow more quality time than if I worked a 9-5 everyday. Night shifts on 12s can be hard though because sleep becomes an issue when you have kids regardless of the field you work in. But the shifts you work depends solely on your own preference. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your family. Good luck!:)