I know this is early, as I'm just starting my RN program, however I'm wondering if it is even possible to find a job that does not require overnights or early morning starts right out of nursing school? I am absolutely not opposed to working these shifts eventually, but my kids are too young to get themselves to school, etc. I would actually LOVE to work in the ER, but my husband's job requirements/hours and my kids ages prohibit me from pursuing that right out of nursing school.
My husband is an aortic aneurysm device rep, so his job is basically on-call all the time. Not only does he have scheduled surgeries in the OR that can start very early, but if there is ever a rupture, he has to drop everything and go to whatever hospital he is asked to in a very large metropolitan area, day or night. Due to my husband's job responsibilities, it restricts my ability to work outside of regular hours until my kids are able to handle being home alone (will probably be a solid 5 or 6 years before that is possible since they are in Kindergarten and 2nd grade now). I don't want to look like a "princess" right out of school, but I'm worried I will have a hard time finding a job since it seems like most nursing jobs require night shifts or 6am starts?? Any advice or areas of specialty that I can focus on early to help me get to work after school would be great! I am doing a BSN program.
Are you in nursing school now or a prenursing student taking prerequisite classes? What are you planning to do with the kids while you’re in clinicals?
Are you in nursing school now or a prenursing student taking prerequisite classes? What are you planning to do with the kids while you’re in clinicals?
I am starting nursing school this august. Spent the last two years doing pre reqs and taking the TEAS. Luckily my first semester will be low key as I got the 12-hour rotation only 1 day a week. But we will be constantly looking for help while I’m in school for the 2 days per week of clinicals that will start up for me in the Spring 2022 semester. Also my school is super close to where I live, and my classes do not conflict with getting my kids to school in the morning. After school care is no issue as there are tons of after school options in my children’s district.
Are you in nursing school now or a prenursing student taking prerequisite classes? What are you planning to do with the kids while you’re in clinicals?
I was thinking about this, too. As student nurses, we had to be there by 6:30 AM and ready to hit the floor at 6:45 AM for report with our paired nurse. For me, that meant being up at 5:15 and out the door by 6:00 without kids. We had to look presentable, too; if you looked sloppy or disheveled you were sent home with an absence. This was 2012-2013, so not too long ago.
All schools are different and some are more or less strict than others, however keep in mind most have a one or two day absence policy where you fail if you miss those days. It's because the state requires a certain number of clinical clock hours for you to graduate. Some schools will allow make-ups with health notes but lacking childcare or sick child is not one of them.
I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to let you know what I've seen in my experience while you have time to form a more concrete plan.
My first job (which I still have) is in an outpatient clinic. I graduated in 2018, am when my son was 6. I work 8-4:30. There is no reason you cannot find a job like that too; it has worked perfectly for my family.
Ignore the people who act like you have to work nights on med-surge for two years. If that is not in alignment with your career goals, then don’t do it.
On 6/17/2021 at 8:22 PM, Kendrer said:
Rionoir thank you! Do you mind listing a couple of the specialties you can think of? I am open to anything. I definitely don’t have to work in a hospital.
Federally-Qualified Health centers! Look on the job boards under that, or under “community health”
Another thought as far as doctors office goes. Most are going with MAs now. It's unlikely you'll get an office job as a BSN grad unless it's a super specialized practice.
My first job (which I still have) is in an outpatient clinic. I graduated in 2018, am when my son was 6. I work 8-4:30. There is no reason you cannot find a job like that too; it has worked perfectly for my family.
Ignore the people who act like you have to work nights on med-surge for two years. If that is not in alignment with your career goals, then don’t do it.
THIS THIS THIS. I never wanted to work in a hospital. I work outpatient at a FQHC and I love it.
I often wondered this as well when I started my program, and I was resolved to never work night shifts. That has all changed and I currently work 3 12s at night. As you progress in your program and grow as a person and a nurse, your desires and needs will change. You want to be a nurse, right? Its best to start out in a hospital -do your 3 12s for a year or two- then move on if you hate it. This is how most people begin and learn at the start of their careers. It will be difficult to get an outpatient comfy schedule as a new grad. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just a realist.
Have you considered becoming a school nurse? My sister earned her LPN and was hired directly as a school nurse when her kids were both in grade school. The hours are perfect, she loves the job and it gives her the almost the same hours as her kids. (They attend a different school district and the job of school nurse has some before and after school hours, but not much.)
Working for a public school district gave her access to education benefits and she has now earned her BSN with very little cost.
Have you considered becoming a school nurse? My sister earned her LPN and was hired directly as a school nurse when her kids were both in grade school. The hours are perfect, she loves the job and it gives her the almost the same hours as her kids. (They attend a different school district and the job of school nurse has some before and after school hours, but not much.)
Working for a public school district gave her access to education benefits and she has now earned her BSN with very little cost.
Thanks! I am totally open to all areas of nursing. Since I’m just starting nursing school I definitely am leaving myself open to learning about as many areas as possible in the nursing field. School nursing sounds great. My step daughter is a type 1 diabetic so we had LOTS of interface with school nurses while she was in middle school and high school!
My first job (which I still have) is in an outpatient clinic. I graduated in 2018, am when my son was 6. I work 8-4:30. There is no reason you cannot find a job like that too; it has worked perfectly for my family.
Ignore the people who act like you have to work nights on med-surge for two years. If that is not in alignment with your career goals, then don’t do it.
Federally-Qualified Health centers! Look on the job boards under that, or under “community health”
The community health care centers that I am familiar with do not hire RN's. LPN's, MA's and NP's only.
PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP
237 Posts
Are you in nursing school now or a prenursing student taking prerequisite classes? What are you planning to do with the kids while you’re in clinicals?