Other nurse moms how am i going to do this? My heart hurts!

mommynurse25 · Jul 13, 2013

Thank you so much for the responses I really appreciate it.

lizabarnes · Jul 13, 2013

Units seem to be understaffed at night. My first job was in L&D full time nights (some hospitals hire new grads for L&D). I managed to swap someone for a flex position and then trade out my nights. Nights are harder than you think. Bad for you health too. I loved my birth experience and ended up hating L&D. I say just try it out and see. You can always quit.

mommynurse25 · Jul 13, 2013

lol ive worked nights a couple of 12s and 8's and then went to weekends 7 to 3. which I loved lol .. this er job offered at first was 12p to 12a omgosh lovvvve those hours so much but do I really want that busy crazy midshift starting off? the manager recommended I do nights id get better orientation and training and skill opportunities and have my night team. lol I think ill just do this temporary then transfer to my hometown :)

qbanmom5 · Jul 13, 2013

I feel your pain and i know you are struggling but... in this economy and at least where I live a FT ER position is GREAT! I agree with a previous poster that nights are kind of good because the kids are asleep. You really should not do them in a row though. The exhaustion will mess with your emotional state, trust me. Also, your hubby needs attention as well so break it up for sure. I know that you are going into this thinking its temporary, and thats fine. Just be open-you may just love it. Good luck and your family will be grateful and thank you later! By the way, I have 5 kids of my own so trust me, I know what you are feeling. You will gain more self confidence and be glad in the long run.

mommynurse25 · Jul 13, 2013

lol thanks my mom has been a cardiac nurse for 7 yrs and just recently went to er and she loves it and tells me ill probably end up loving it we will see :)

Katie71275 · Jul 13, 2013

I know how you feel. I'm on orientation right now so on days but will switch to nights soon, and sad I will be away from the kids at night. It's hard.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

Duplicate threads merged.

PaxRN · Jul 13, 2013

Just to chime in regarding days/nights. I have been on nights almost a year now (3 kids and spouse) and I prefer to do my 3 or 4 shifts in a row then switch back to days. I prefer a longer break in between and my family has handled it fine. Best of luck and congrats on your new job!

SE_BSN_RN, BSN · Jul 13, 2013

Hi everyone hope all is well your way. Let me start by saying I have been a stay at home mom almost three years. I got my first RN job Sept 2012 just prn at a nursing home ( its hard for me to get a job since I graduated in 2010) anyways, I hardly work. I love being at home with my daughter! shes my world my happiness my life! well my family budget got to the point I have to get a job. Im still prn at nursing home but they never call me just like once a month or so and that's obviously not enough. My dream job is OB ( my own labor experience gave me that passion. the way the nurses took care of me and my daughter just inspired me and I have that deep passion for it in my heart, but I cant get it without experience.) so, I was offered a ER position and heart breaker here its FULL TIME. I would prefer part time taking baby steps being away from my princess. but its fulltime nights so 3 a week. its self schedule im going to try my hardest to do just weekends I think that will bring me some comfort. and that works best for my family. but bottom line I have been so sad lately..i dont know how im going to leave or do this. this is obviously my first fulltime job so im scared but I do need the experience if im going to get my PRN dream job. lol and I know with this job market I should be greatful ive been given this opportunity for this job. im trying to be positive its only 3 nights ill still make time to see her have dinner before work etc... im trying to think this is temporary until I can transfer into my dream job here in my town ( same company). where I will work is 30 min away not to bad the er manager is actually married to the manager in ob here in my town. :) the er manager knows ob is my dream job so I think he was trying to help me get my foot in the door. I dont know. I need to be thankful but I just keep crying around because this is hard on me going from 3 yrs. stay at home mom to full time 12's nights. any advice opinions words of encouragement please it would be much appreciated and thank you!

Take it. Take the job and run with it! After you work for awhile, you will be able to find a schedule that works for all of you, and you will be able to find a good balance.

I am married, have 4 boys, work full time, and just graduated from an accelerated BSN program. People ask me how I did it, and I said......I just did. I had to. I want my kids to have a better life than I had, and I would like to have some extra money to go on vacations, camping, etc. My job lets me do that. My career has so many paths to go on, its almost too overwhelming! I, too, want to go into OB. If you see that ER job as a foot in the door, grab it and don't look back. Your daughter is 3. You have plenty of time to get experience, then when she's older, work during school hours so you are home in the morning, after school and on weekends.

The sky's the limit, and I say take it! You will be glad you did!

Benedina · Jul 13, 2013

I'll be the contrarian, here. Many years ago I was offered (first career, publishing) a plum editorial job that would require a daily 60-mile one way commute. I already had decent, salaried work that allowed me to work all but one day from a home office. I had three children, and, while I was thinking over the offer, found that a fourth was on the way.

I turned it down. It was never offered again. (I don't want to minimize what I lost: I turned down significantly more money and opportunity.) I chose to keep the decent at-home job while my kids grew up, and through their high school years. Not until my youngest was off to college did I decide to pursue a significant career change that would take me out of the home most days of the week.

It was the right decision for me and my family. I know all kinds of people who have made the other kind of choice work beautifully for them and their family both, but you get to look at your own life, listen to your own heart, and choose what's best for you and yours. You might be focused on the part-time regular work because that truly is the best choice for you--or you might just be casting an understandable, heartfelt sigh at a life you've loved as you prepare to move. Best wishes with whatever you choose!

Dina

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 13, 2013

I remember when I first started nursing, my youngest was newborn, only a month old. For a month we tried having a babysitter watch them while I worked day shift and it sucked. A weekend position opened up and I loved it while it lasted. My husband worked Mon-Thurs, and I worked Fri-Sun. I did have four to consider though so it was easier to make that decision, and thankfully we are strong enough as a couple it still worked out for us. Now I work nights since he lost his job. I love my kids but the need for me to go to work was too great and now I've taken over the breadwinner role. Getting that experience under your belt will be huge later on. Go for it!