Nursing hours

FutureRN_NP · Nov 24, 2011

Nursing is probably the most versatile career there is for someone who cares to spend more time with their family. The reason I say that is because you can always work on the weekend or days depend on how you want it. You can also work as PRN (as needed) or part-time either way. I am just starting out and never regret for have gone nursing school. Because I know from here on out I am my own destiny. The opportunities are endless in nursing. The only problem I had experienced so far through this journey was how to get here first.

HrdwkgMOM · Nov 24, 2011

I am in the same situation. I have almost completed all my nursing pre-requisites and am worried about the long hours away from my already needy family. My boys are 13 and 10 and one is dealing with ADHD and the other has Aspergers. My parents are my main support system and they want me to stay home and take care of the boys. The lack of support and fears of missing out on my children's lives is taking a toll. My husband needs financial support and is pushing me on. I have always been interested in the medical field and I know I would make a good RN. The good in a situation has to outweigh the bad. I pray daily that God will help me in this decision and that my parents will be more supportive. I will need a lot of support from them or church and school when I get into the program.

I hope our decisions will be what is best for us and our family.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I hope a woman's opinion is worth almost as much as a girls ? :confused:

Any job will have some sort of sacrifice. As has been posted, there are a lot of varied hours available- it may take a bit of time to get to the top of the list, but once there, you have a lot of options. And, liking your work (assuming you thought you'd like nursing) is a huge factor. You an have great hours at a bank- but personally, I would have been bored stiff. :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Be a teacher, not a nurse. I wish I did. You will have better working conditions and more respect as a teacher.

My mom is a teacher. She brought work home with her: lesson plans, grading papers, etc, and had to deal with her fair share of parents who felt they should be treated as customers.

I think there are benefits and trade-offs in either profession, and neither is as sweet a deal as it seems to outsiders.

Wave Watcher · Nov 24, 2011

I would choose teaching over nursing. I have talked about going back and getting my teaching degree. Weekends off, snow days off, summers off......the best of both worlds for moms with kiddos.

Best of luck!!

nurseygurlie · Nov 24, 2011

I just got hired for my first nursing job doing 8 hour shifts in my dream unit, OB-GYN. There are so many different settings and units to work in, you can find what you're looking for.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I guess I am lucky~ I work in a hospital, but I work 8 hr shifts, 7-on, 7-off. Seven days in a row is easy, considering they are only 8 hours, then you are off for 7 days.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Be a teacher, not a nurse. I wish I did. You will have better working conditions and more respect as a teacher.

My friends who are teachers work way more hours than I do on a week to week basis. They get good vacations, but during the school year they really don't have that much free time. I work my three twelves and then go home. I do overtime and get paid extra. They work 5 7 hour shifts, but then have to stay for extracurricular activities, parent teacher conferences, games, concerts, etc. They need to do grading or lessen plans almost everyday. I like my time off being mine.

psu_213, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Well, I my mind....

Please girls, any advice. Do any nurses work 8-5 jobs or is it the long work hours?

....oh wait, you don't want my opinion. (did I mention this was a pet peeve of mine?)

tishluvnc · Nov 24, 2011

I'm also in the same boat. I'm finishing up a BA degree in sociology and wondeing my next step. Every since I've taken courses in medical terminology, human biology, and human development I would love to have a career that focus on health and medicine. My only concern to is my 4 year old daughter. As a single mother I will have to put her in day care some crazy hours.

But you are right you will have to deal with parents or patients. I'm a cna so I know I like patients, but I also hate the long hours. But like another post stated do you really want to wast time getting a degree your not passionate about? I have spent two years studing sociology and I feel I cheated my self. I'm praying that God will also do some divine intervention, but I also plan on shadowing this summer.

Good luck with your decision, no one feels they make enough or appreciated enough social workers, nurses, teachers, or police officers. What are you to do. I'm going to study what I love anatomy and physiology one class at a time and hope my divine intervention comes. If not i can always go back for a master degree later.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

Stick with teaching, that way you'll have a flexible, family friendly schedule off weekends, holidays, and summer! Also if you get into a public school you'll probably get better benefits than you could at any private sector hospital job! Also they won't hold you hostage mandate you when they are short like hospitals do.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Nov 24, 2011

I hope a woman's opinion is worth almost as much as a girls ?

Both apparently worth more that of a man