Nursing job and time off-How flexible?

Katnip, RN · Oct 10, 2009

These days in particular, hospitals will probably frown on a nurse taking so much time off. Many places only allow two weeks off at a time, and definitely not every few months. They need to be able to count on staff being there regularly.

Working for an agency is probably the way to go, but with the economy, agency nurses aren't getting that many hours, and most require that you have at least a solid year or two of experience before taking you on.

Age isn't likely to be a barrier, but depending on where you live, a lot of places aren't hiring new grads, period. In time, this will change again.

mamamerlee, LPN · Oct 10, 2009

I can't think of any healthcare business that allows its employees a few weeks off every few months. Your age should not be an issue. Can you bring your mother here? Are there other people who could be responsible for her. Even schooling will take more than a few months.

caliotter3 · Oct 10, 2009

Your best bet will be with the agencies, but even they require that you have the initial experience. Agree you should see about bringing your mother here.

medicrnohio, RN · Oct 10, 2009

Nursing schedules are not going to be flexible enough for you to do that. I can't really think of many jobs that are going to be flexible enought to allow you to leave for a few weeks every few months. However, I can sympathize with your need to care for your mother. You need to do what is best for you and your family. I wish you the best of luck as you figure out what step to take next.

Aviationurse · Oct 10, 2009

i hope your mother is doing good. i can sympathize with you because i am a double care giver myself and also asian..taking care of my sick 80 year old dad at home and no help and family support except me...i am always juggling my time to take care of him and putting food on the table .....:redbeathe..i did agency and registry for years because i was doing international travels each year to be able to see and take care of my father who lived alone there....

all the best

Naoko2001 · Oct 10, 2009

Thank you so much for your valuable opinions. Looks like it is going to take a couple of years before I finish my schooling and establishing sufficient work experiences before I maybe able to try agencies for temp assignments. Meanwhile, I will have to ask my sister to continue taking care of my mother back home. She is not very happy that I am hardly sharing the responsibility with her because I live in a foreign country. I have been feeling so guilty about this situation, and hoping to be able to attain my career goal and take care of my family at the same time. Besides, I believe nursing is one of the most rewarding career. I admire you all!!! Thanks again.

allnurses Guide · Oct 11, 2009

If you get a fulltime job, there is something called FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) which permits you unpaid time off (6 weeks each rolling calendar year) to look after a sick/disabled family member. My mum has cancer and I've been taking time to go home for 2-3 weeks every couple of months. Her oncologist had to fill out the paperwork.

I would not bother looking into bringing your mother to the US - locals may not realize that unless you're a citizen (I am assuming you're not) that is basically impossible. In addition, there's no way you'd be able to get affordable healthcare for an elderly woman.

Naoko2001 · Oct 11, 2009

Thank you for reminding me about FMLA. I worked part-time at my last job (not in the health care), and when I asked my union rep. if I could visit my father in Japan since he was terminally ill. The union rep. told me that I could only take some time off to attend his funeral since I was a part-time worker. :sniff:

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 24, 2009

People who don't know what the heck they are talking about should probably refrain from replying to employment-related threads and confusing the OP.

If you get a fulltime job, there is something called FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) which permits you unpaid time off (6 weeks each rolling calendar year) to look after a sick/disabled family member. My mum has cancer and I've been taking time to go home for 2-3 weeks every couple of months. Her oncologist had to fill out the paperwork.
I would not bother looking into bringing your mother to the US - locals may not realize that unless you're a citizen (I am assuming you're not) that is basically impossible. In addition, there's no way you'd be able to get affordable healthcare for an elderly woman.

You are incorrect, you are allow 12 weeks a year. I don't know where you got this idea.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

For the original poster, you have to meet certain criteria.EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for FMLA benefits, an employee must:

* work for a covered employer;

* have worked for the employer for a total of 12 months;

* have worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months; and

* work at a location in the United States or in any territory or possession of the United States where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles.

If you became a LPN or work as CNA, make sure you work in a large facility since many SNFS don't have 50 employees. You will have to work a full year before it applies.

Naoko2001 · Oct 24, 2009

MedSurg32RN

Thank you for your feedback and clarifying the FMLA criteria. I am going to enroll with a CNA program soon, and see if I am fit for the job, I probably will be pursuing to become a LPN. I have talked to a couple of recruiters from nursing homes, and they both said temp assignments are possible with experience (minimum 6 months).

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 25, 2009

Look for a part time PN program, many CNA work and go to school at the same time, and best of luck with your mother.