Nurses who are MOMS, what job would you take?

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I have 2 kids who will be going into 3rd and 1st grade in Sept. The last few years I have only worked 8/hrs a week or not at all because I like to be home with them. Now the time has come that they will be in school FT.

So I have 2 different options here.

For the same amt of money I can do:

1)5 day shifts a week--half are 7-3 and half are 9-5.

2)3.5 night shifts 11-7

If option 1, I need an after school program to watch the kids for a bit (so once that is factored in 5 shifts of days would financially = 3.5 of nights)

If option 2 I can sleep when they are at school.

What do you think???

Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I work every weekend and PRN.It frees me up to spend lots of time with my family.They are only small once and can work more hours later.And life is very short.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am graduating, have kids and am taking a night shift. It's my understanding that a 3.5 night shift job (i.e., 7 shifts every 2 weeks) ends up the same hours as a 5-day week, and actually more money when night differential is figured in. Lots of moms like nights. I'd take nights if I were you.

Anyways, I plan to pick the kids up from school at 4:30, eat dinner with family, prep for work and go, then come home and sleep in the a.m. until about 3:30pm. They leave for school at 0800, so realistically I don't think I can drive that leg of the carpool or they'd be late quite often.

I like that if a kid is sick I could pull a cot into my room and park them in front of videos with drinks and snacks nearby. I wouldn't want to do that often, and flat refuse to run errands during my sleep time, but in an emergency it is convenient.

We have 6 kids and I worry about my husband at home with the homework and bathing stress, but we'll just have to stay organized and I'll have to remind him frequently to TAKE A DEEP BREATH! Anyways, he's been the primary caregiver through nursing school.

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What is a .5 night shift like?

I don't know if your joking or not, but 3.5 a week just means 7 every two weeks. So 3 one week and 4 the next.

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i personally love to work nights , no families to deal with no admin...i would take that night deal in a minute....i wanted to add that i don't do many nights now because i just took a weekend job working 32 getting paid for 40. but when i did i still made all the school functions. and when my kids came home from school we would eat then go to the park and play...so i still had time with them .which is very important to me when considering a job.

yes it is very imprtant to me also. i love dropping them off and picking them up. i love hearing about their day. i also love that i can be there to take them to any sports and stuff.

with the day shifts, i hate that i would have to put them in an after school program.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i didn't know what it meant either.

i don't know if your joking or not, but 3.5 a week just means 7 every two weeks. so 3 one week and 4 the next.
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How about home nursing care? I mean block time , not just skilled visits.....If you have health insurance through your husband.....then you wouldn't need to worry about that...then this would be the perfect job...I do home care now..and I am starting as a correctional nurse in a couple of weeks.....so I am doing both part time but will be working full time between the two combined.

Home nursing care I do peds & an adult......there is tons of flexibility for those who need it.......maybe check on that? You do all the same stuff as in a hospital just with one patient & you really get to do real nursing care, where as in a hospital you don't have alot of tim e to spend one on one unless you have some down time....even then it's rare.

In home care you really get to know your patient......it's a good area......maybe that is good for you?

I have nurses in my home as well for my daughter.....one does 9a-5p, another 8a-3p...some do 5p-10p........so it is good for those who need flexibility....good luck!

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Specializes in Camp/LTC/School/Hospital.

Night shift works out where you can be home in the afternoon when the kids come home, and to make dinner etc. But I don't think you ever really "get used to it" I takes years off your life, In proven studies.

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How about home nursing care? I mean block time , not just skilled visits.....If you have health insurance through your husband.....then you wouldn't need to worry about that...then this would be the perfect job...I do home care now..and I am starting as a correctional nurse in a couple of weeks.....so I am doing both part time but will be working full time between the two combined.

Home nursing care I do peds & an adult......there is tons of flexibility for those who need it.......maybe check on that? You do all the same stuff as in a hospital just with one patient & you really get to do real nursing care, where as in a hospital you don't have alot of tim e to spend one on one unless you have some down time....even then it's rare.

In home care you really get to know your patient......it's a good area......maybe that is good for you?

I have nurses in my home as well for my daughter.....one does 9a-5p, another 8a-3p...some do 5p-10p........so it is good for those who need flexibility....good luck!

I dont know if I have the skills for homecare. My areas of nsg are OR and LTC.

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Specializes in Case Managemnt, Utilization Review.

I say get a job being a camp nurse for this summer. Call around to all the camps where you would like to send your kids , ask if they have found a camp nurse and take them with you, they usually get free tuition at camp. It's the funnest job you'll ever love.

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I work 3 12's a week, overnights. This means I don't have daycare to worry about, as my husband gets home before I leave for work and can put them on the bus if I'm running late in the morning. They only "miss" me for a couple of hours before bed on my nights off, and on my nights on, I will usually nap before going in (but they've got homework then anyway, so hardly "missing" me then!).

I get the most time with them this way, as on my time off, I catch a little less daytime (schooltime) sleep but am available for sports practice, games, music lessons, whatever.

I can most easily manage family with overnights (but would NOT do 5 overnights a week, just the extended three).

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