planning schedule around child care?

[nursesarah95, BSN]

Hey home health nurses! I am currently a nurse- working full time nights on a med/surg floor. I have two young children at home that I need childcare for. I am thinking of trying to get a job in Home Health to be off of nights, but not away from my kids for 13 hour + days and to be on a similar schedule to my husband. I am wondering if any of you have young children and if so- what do you do for childcare? How do you work your schedule and plan your days? How many hours are you generally out of the house? And do you feel like your day is usually unpredictable? thank you!

[TAKOO01, BSN]

I was a home health nurse and I do have young children. It depends on what you need. You can work fee for service and just do the hours your kids are in daycare. If you don't need insurance its a good fix for you. I was able to do a six hour day and fit in about 4 to six patients depending on proximity and duration of visits. My day was not very unpredictable because I was able to refuse cases if I needed to. Sometimes I would get a cancellation or a person added, but it wasn't too bad. I was home by 230 or 3pm and did my charting late nights. I'm sure there are also other ways to work a home health schedule that may suit you.