On Nursing and Parenting

[kittleRN]

Hello! I am starting my first RN job in a couple weeks. It will be the typical 3 12-hour shifts in a hospital, rotating nights and days. I am very excited, but also a little concerned how it will affect my family life. I have two young kids (almost 3 and 7 months). I haven't worked since before my first was born. My mom will be watching them while I'm at work during the week, with the occasional help of a babysitter. I know it will be tough, especially at first, but I think I just want to hear that it's manageable. Are you an RN working full time with young kids at home? How are you making it work? Any insight/tips would be appreciated :)

[Farawyn]

It's manageable. I would guess that many of us are women who have kids. You are lucky you have your mom to help. I know I missed my kids more when I was at work, but it made me appreciate them, also let me be "Farawyn" instead of "Mommy" and gave my husband and my kids' grandparents lots of time to spend with them. As they got older, it made them more resilient. They knew they had chores to do so when I got home from work, things would be taken care of. It is VERY doable.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I have a 4month old. I work part time nights I couldn't imagine having to work FT right now. I'm definitely blessed. If I had too I would. My husband watches the baby while I'm at work. I just take naps before and after work when the baby sleeps.