Nurses & their children..

[jellybean321]

My question is to nurses with children. Do you believe, being a nurse, has effected your family in a negative way at all? Have you ever missed one of your childrens important events, like a play in school, because you're a Nurse? I do not have kids, but I plan to eventually and as a new nursing student, this is something I am terribly afraid of. I do not want to miss any of my childrens milestones in life and that is very important to me. Does Nursing effect your life at all in that sense [family & kids] due to the crazy hours/hectic schedule you have?? Thanks for your input :)

[TexasCowgirl24]

If you are a mom and choose to work, you will miss some stuff. That is not just nurses, that is with any job.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

If your a working mom, your going to miss stuff. It has nothing to do with being a nurse, but any working mother is making sacrifices.

For me, this is one of the reasons I work nights, I work while they are asleep and can get up if I need to during the day and go to an event and I'm home with them every evening where we do a lot together. Me and my husband work opposite shifts. It has worked very well for us so far.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Nursing hasn't caused me to sacrifice any important family events.

I graduated from nursing school the year I married. I spent the next few years working full time first in med-surg and then ICU.

When I got pregnant with my first child, I switched to per diem work with my same employer. I have been working in my unit for 10 years now.

Per diem work lets me work my schedule in around childcare. My husband does the childcare when I work weekends, sometimes my parents or in-laws can help as backup childcare. I do not have to pay for childcare, and since per diem paid me more per hour, I earn a pretty good wage.

This arrangement works for me since my husband's job pays the health insurance and other benefits.

What works for everyone else is different. We all find ways to make our work and family lives fit.

[oramar]

Yes, all working moms miss things. However, working moms who happen to be nurses miss more than most. I think it is probably wrong not to mention that working fathers miss things also.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

If you work 12 hour shifts you will certainly miss some evening events of your children. If you work nights and are willing to skimp on sleep, you'll be able to catch their weekend games, otherwise many nurse's jobs will tie up every other weekend.

On the other hand, working only three 12 hour shifts a week leaves lots of days to be there to greet the kiddos when they get home and cart them around for practices, take them to the park or beach midweek, or anything else.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

I did miss some things as any working mother does. But nursing also gave me the opportunity to be at more things than some mothers. I was able to go part time and then PRN after my children were born. I worked only evenings, so my husband was home with them. I was able to schedule myself around most of the "important stuff" so I could be there. Holidays were a pain, though.

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I have almost always worked full time since my children were born. I have worked in factories and as a nurse. Personally I am able to go to more of my children's events since becoming a nurse. I just need to know what is going on in advance and I either ask off or I switch shifts. It all works out in the end.

[travel50]

I have been a nurse for 25 years, and had 6 children. For most of their growing up years, I worked PRN, usually for 2-3 places at one time. That way, if I wanted to work, I could. If I needed a day off for something really important, I just opted not to work that day. But since I was not scheduled to work, then I wasn't "calling in". My day off was not inconveniencing anyone. I usually worked 6 days a week, but still it was my option. My children were almost grown before they realized that Christmas day was actually a specific date. We had Christmas whenever I was off. My kids were homeschooled, so there were no school events to miss. We just made our own fun, and got with friends to do things when I was off. Not too many professions allow you such freedom.

[kcochrane]

Any working mom will miss certain events..especially if they work shift work. My husband and I just make sure that at least one parent is at every event. I also switched to nights which has made it easier to attend every event.

[Thankful RN,BSN]

No, that's the good thing about working 3 days a week. I can schedule myself so that i don't have to miss any important events.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

if you don't need benefits and if money isn't an issue, just work prn or part time.