PLEASE I HAVE A QUESTION about nursing scheduales...

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi, I was thinking of leaving the teaching field to become an RN! I've already got accepted into a BSN school, now the problem is if I'm brave enough to take that leap. I love the children and public schools, not too much complaints here. But, my only complain is having to be a full-time teacher, as there isn't very many (if any) part-time teaching jobs. My dream is to work in NICU!!!! and I was wondering if it is possible to become a NICU nurse and only work 1 day a week. Per-diem? Or even part-time. I don't need to work and my husband has great benefits...so I'm not too concerned about that. But, teaching just takes 50+ hours a week and it's sooooo tiring. So exhausting. Grading papers at home off the clock continuously. Can someone please tell me if it is possible to work 1-2 days a week in a specific floor/department without being a "floater"? I live in California and don't know too much of how it works. ALSOOOOOO biggest concern here...if I were to only work 1 day a week, would they still give me all the holidays?????? even if i'm only 1 day a week? Thank you all in advance for any help, opinions, and comments. It's greatly appreciated!!! :)

Beverly.

It's not a good idea to say "I don't have to work," btw. Unless students have figured out that there's no RN shortage and getting a RN job now is about as iffy as anything else, there are more applicants than seats in RN programs. And both the admissions committee and the student cohort may prefer that the limited number of seats go to people who have the driving ambition and who also have every intention of working as a nurse. Being a country-clubber has in place in nursing. It's a dirty job, in reality. Lots of women who go into it are the first generation of their family to attend college. Lots of RNs marry cops. Nursing is definitely not the domain of wealthy people who just want to work a little on the side. Many RNs are the sold support of their families, have 3-4 or more kids, and a husband who lost his job in the 2008 recession.

I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There's a good bit of a blue-collar culture in it. If the region you live in is mostly blue collar, that's who your classmates will be, too.

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I don't know whether to find this offensive about my "day job" and all, or to just say thank you for the brutal honest truth, since I have absolutely no idea what nursing truly is. But teaching is one of thee hardest jobs anyone can have. It's not just a 36 hour work week. LOL I WISH it was that little of hours, with that much time off. If only!!!! It's a contracted 40 hours a week. That's just contract alone, that's not to mention all the staff meetings and political $*@! we have to deal with. 30+ kids that are out of control, not eating at home, getting abused, parents who don't care if they can even identify letters in the alphabet, kids who constantly curse you out, and/or get physical with you. All the lesson planning, BEFORE and AFTER school that we can't always do at home on our couches, IEP's, paper grading. Also, walking out of work at 6pm when we're getting to work at 7am...that sounds like about 11 hours to me. That's just one hour away from a 12! Except this is M-F (hence, why SO MANY teachers have left the teaching field to become a nurse)! Not to mention all the work we take home after 6pm when we're leaving work, to only come home to not starting dinner on-time or spending quality time with the family because we have so much grading to do. I'm not saying it's much more difficult than nursing by any means what so ever. I'm just saying it's not just a "day job" ;). Lol, I haven't worked a day job since I was in high school. And if you're a good Teacher, you're working roughly 60 hour weeks (most of us are), but only paid for 40! I also never said I wasn't willing to work ANY Christmas' at all...I wouldn't mind working them every so often, but to work every Christmas is such a horrible schedule to have, as my family comes first. I also never said I was hoping to graduate and immediately land a 1-2 days a week in a NICU job. I'm well aware of having to put in work and build my seniority, like any other work place! Sorry, maybe I didn't clarify that, and I really should have. I wouldn't mind at all putting in the work I have to, in order to get where I want to be. All I wanted to know was if there are nurses out there who work per diem or part-time in a NICU unit, not having to work EVERY Christmas. But from what I got from you, is that there is no such thing as a part-time OR per diem nurse. Bummer. Thanks for your input!

As an aside, I'm an elementary school nurse and I have the utmost respect for teachers!!! I see what they deal with on a daily basis and couldn't do it and I've told them as much. Many, many times :)

Good luck in whatever you decide

mc3

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I doubt anyone would argue that teachers only put in their clock hours (or at least no one who knows a teacher personally would think that!). At least as nurses our salaries tend to be a bit higher. I'm glad you clarified that you understand needing to put in the time. The impression in your OP was that you thought you'd slide right into a cushy job with no holidays and work whatever days you wanted upon graduation, which is definitely not reality! :)

Have you taken a look at job postings in your area? It might be good just to get a sense, and do this periodically. I have seen per diem positions in all units, NICU included. I agree that peds might be good to explore as well. Be aware that peds includes "kids" up to age 17 (occasionally beyond that), so it wouldn't just be the small ones you'd be seeing there.

TAHNK YOU! Your post gave me much hope!!!!! Good to know that eventually after years and years, it may be possible to get per diem or part time. :) I'll also start looking at job openings! Haven't thought of that yet, good idea!

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

As a brand new nurse, you'll probably have to work full-time at first. After you have experience, then you will probably be able to get a part-time or prn job. Be prepared to work a non-NICU job for a while too. NICU is high demand and may not be offered to a new grad.

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It's not a good idea to say "I don't have to work," btw. Unless students have figured out that there's no RN shortage and getting a RN job now is about as iffy as anything else, there are more applicants than seats in RN programs. And both the admissions committee and the student cohort may prefer that the limited number of seats go to people who have the driving ambition and who also have every intention of working as a nurse. Being a country-clubber has in place in nursing. It's a dirty job, in reality. Lots of women who go into it are the first generation of their family to attend college. Lots of RNs marry cops. Nursing is definitely not the domain of wealthy people who just want to work a little on the side. Many RNs are the sold support of their families, have 3-4 or more kids, and a husband who lost his job in the 2008 recession.

I'm not going to sugar-coat it. There's a good bit of a blue-collar culture in it. If the region you live in is mostly blue collar, that's who your classmates will be, too.

Hmmm…to each their own! I mean I totally understand what you're saying, but me saying I don't have to work or worry about benefits, (because that's one thing nurses throw out there almost immediately when they find out I'm teaching in a union with excellent benefits and want to leave to be per diem, will almost always be thrown out there) is a personal preference. Me stating I don't have to work doesn't mean I don't deserve that spot in nursing school nor did I not bust my @$$ to get all my pre-reqs, and test high on my TEAS test. Absolutely not!!!! I'm going to nursing school to become a nurse with every intention, otherwise I would have applied to something else that isn't nursing! What I choose to do with my nursing career (IF, and a big if, if I decide to switch careers, with all due respect, is probably up to the person doing it for the rest of their life) whether it's part-time or full-time is quite frankly up to me. I never said it would be a side job my friend. HI I'M A TEACHER…WE MAKE LESS THAN RN'S, lol! Teaching may not be blue collar per say with physical hands on labor, but it might as well be with all we endure. Just not willing to put nursing as a first priority over my families first! And how much income I do have isn't a choice anyone wants to have, and that isn't a reason to give spots to other people who have less money. I got accepted according to my GPA and test scores, and let me tell you, I rocked those. In the end, I have an amazing and supportive husband who busts his behind and earned his career so that I can have a choice to be a stay at home mother and wife. My husband is not a cop, he is a railroader (doesn't get any more blue collar than that. With farming being at the top of the list, and railroading right behind it)! I'm sorry that most nurses have gone into nursing because their husbands lost their jobs and need the extra income, or are single mothers who need to support their kids, (from what I got on your previous post, please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I got, which isn't fair to all the other nurses who aren't in that situation, or future nurses who want to become a nurse simply because they love it even if they have all the money in the world), but I think this says a lot more about someone who does not have to work, yet chooses to get into a tough career to try and make a difference in peoples lives, who need medical attention and comfort. As I almost died with my child when I was 7 months pregnant, and had to endure surgeries during. I know exactly what some patients are going through. I appreciate your post and I understand you aren't trying to sugar-coat the nursing field!!!! But it's not a good idea to say "both the admissions committee and student cohort may prefer that the limited number of seats go to people who have the driving ambition and who also have every intention of working as a nurse" without knowing someones true motive first. I can sit here and tell you several reasons, why medically, I am driven. But I'm not going to give you my life rundown really fast. And please don't take my previous comment as a sarcastic response to yours, by all means, please don't! Text never reads well over electronic devices!;) I'm sincerely responding with the mere intention, to express, that it is not a good idea to assume anybody's intentions, and judge someone you don't personally know! I've been through more medical problems, than most 60 year olds! And I'm only 27!

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As a brand new nurse, you'll probably have to work full-time at first. After you have experience, then you will probably be able to get a part-time or prn job. Be prepared to work a non-NICU job for a while too. NICU is high demand and may not be offered to a new grad.

Thanks for your input. And good useful information! All good stuff to know before deciding!!!!!!:)

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Hmmm…to each their own! I mean I totally understand what you're saying, but me saying I don't have to work or worry about benefits, (because that's one thing nurses throw out there almost immediately when they find out I'm teaching in a union with excellent benefits and want to leave to be per diem, will almost always be thrown out there) is a personal preference. Me stating I don't have to work doesn't mean I don't deserve that spot in nursing school nor did I not bust my @$$ to get all my pre-reqs, and test high on my TEAS test. Absolutely not!!!! I'm going to nursing school to become a nurse with every intention, otherwise I would have applied to something else that isn't nursing! What I choose to do with my nursing career (IF, and a big if, if I decide to switch careers, with all due respect, is probably up to the person doing it for the rest of their life) whether it's part-time or full-time is quite frankly up to me. I never said it would be a side job my friend. HI I'M A TEACHER…WE MAKE LESS THAN RN'S, lol! Teaching may not be blue collar per say with physical hands on labor, but it might as well be with all we endure. Just not willing to put nursing as a first priority over my families first! And how much income I do have isn't a choice anyone wants to have, and that isn't a reason to give spots to other people who are poorer. I got accepted according to my GPA and test scores, and let me tell you, I rocked those. In the end, I have an amazing and supportive husband who busts his behind and earned his career so that I can have a choice to be a stay at home mother and wife. My husband is not a cop, he is a railroader (doesn't get any more blue collar than that. With farming being at the top of the list, and railroading right behind it)! I'm sorry that most nurses have gone into nursing because their husbands lost their jobs and need the extra income, or are single mothers who need to support their kids, (from what I got on your previous post, please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I got), but I think this says a lot more about someone who does not have to work, yet chooses to get into a tough career to try and make a difference in peoples lives, who need medical attention and comfort. As I almost died with my child when I was 7 months pregnant, and had to endure surgeries during. I know exactly what some patients are going through. I appreciate your post and I understand you aren't trying to sugar-coat the nursing field!!!! But it's not a good idea to say "both the admissions committee and student cohort may prefer that the limited number of seats go to people who have the driving ambition and who also have every intention of working as a nurse" without knowing someones true motive first. I can sit here and tell you several reasons, why medically, I am driven. But I'm not going to give you my life rundown really fast. And please don't take my previous comment as a sarcastic response to yours, by all means, please don't! Text never reads well over electronic devices!;) I'm sincerely responding with the mere intention, to not judge anyone you don't personally know! I've been through more than most 60 year olds! And I'm only 27!

I agree you stating that you don't financially NEED to work in order to support your family or necessarily need the benefits that could be offered is no indication of whether you deserve a spot in nursing school or a particular job more than anyone else. I'm in the same position. My husband has a great job with great benefits. I have been a stay at home mom for the last 8 years. He actually didn't want me to go back to school at first with the intentions of taking a full time job after graduation. But now that he has seen how happy it makes me he is behind it 100%. Not everyone goes into a particular field for financial reasons.....for some it's for personal fulfillment or whatever reason. Those people have to work just as hard to get into the programs and search just as hard for a job after graduation.....We all come from different backgrounds but all have to work equally hard to be successful in this journey

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I agree you stating that you don't financially NEED to work in order to support your family or necessarily need the benefits that could be offered is no indication of whether you deserve a spot in nursing school or a particular job more than anyone else. I'm in the same position. My husband has a great job with great benefits. I have been a stay at home mom for the last 8 years. He actually didn't want me to go back to school at first with the intentions of taking a full time job after graduation. But now that he has seen how happy it makes me he is behind it 100%. Not everyone goes into a particular field for financial reasons.....for some it's for personal fulfillment or whatever reason. Those people have to work just as hard to get into the programs and search just as hard for a job after graduation.....We all come from different backgrounds but all have to work equally hard to be successful in this journey

Agree with you 100%!!!!!! That's how my husband is! Glad you're getting back out there, there is no greater self-worth, than earning a career and working with what ever your passion may be. That's awesome! Are you looking to start nursing school, or have you already started???

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Agree with you 100%!!!!!! That's how my husband is! Glad you're getting back out there, there is no greater self-worth, than earning a career and working with what ever your passion may be. That's awesome! Are you looking to start nursing school, or have you already started???

I just submitted my application to my first choice school and find out whether I have been accepted in about 5 weeks. So hopefully I will be starting nursing school in January. For me it is about having something that is for ME. I'm not going to say the extra income won't be a pleasant benefit (I mean who wouldn't want more money to go towards the things you want)....but we have been very comfortable for the last 8 years and could be just as comfortable in the years to come. Both of my kids will be in school this year and I am NOT cut out to be a stay at home mom with no kids with me all day. I need something to fill my days and nursing is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I actually was going to school to be a teacher until I realized I hated it lol.....

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I just submitted my application to my first choice school and find out whether I have been accepted in about 5 weeks. So hopefully I will be starting nursing school in January. For me it is about having something that is for ME. I'm not going to say the extra income won't be a pleasant benefit (I mean who wouldn't want more money to go towards the things you want)....but we have been very comfortable for the last 8 years and could be just as comfortable in the years to come. Both of my kids will be in school this year and I am NOT cut out to be a stay at home mom with no kids with me all day. I need something to fill my days and nursing is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I actually was going to school to be a teacher until I realized I hated it lol.....

So fortunate for you, that you will not acquire student loans from anything prior to nursing school. Good luck, will send prayers your way! Hope you get in, you'll have to come back on here and let me know how it went! I also hear you on the being a stay-at-home mom, before I went into teaching, it was pretty intense at home (lol)! Now that my girls are going to school too, I find it would work perfect to be in school full-time! And I agree with the extra income…being able to put it towards a bigger home mortgage, or extra cushion in the bank is a good feeling to have. ;)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I just want to throw out there that in down areas teachers make more than nurses. It was mentioned that nurses make more...not always. I would make more money as a teacher where I live. I would get vacation time and holidays off. I would get sick time and summers off.

Teachers here bring home more than I do as an RN while having summers, weekends and holidays off and having reasonable sick time. They bring home more during the school year than I make ALL year.

So it is possible you will take a nice pay cut and work more hours.

I'll also agree with the idea you will need to work full time for a good couple of years IN a NICU to be able to work there per diem. In order to get into a NICU...you could have years of full time working just to land a NICU job.

So I would plan on working full time for many years, working nights and lots of holidays. Oh and on nights....I worked some portion of every single flipping holiday. My Christmas off meant I had to be in work and ready to go by 7pm on the 25th and I didn't get holiday pay time. That was my holiday off...joy.

If you want to be a nurse....go for it. But be prepared for it to not be what you want for a long time.

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