Should I work nights or weekends?

[Deb123j]

I graduate from nursing school in December and am looking to either work 3 nights or Fri-Sun 12 hour shifts.

DH works Mon-Thrs (10 hr shifts) and will then be able to watch our baby when I'm working weekends. However I cringe at the thought of not seeing him ever...and more importantly not hardly seeing my baby (she's 14 mo) for 3 WHOLE days!!!

I need to start applying to hospitals in the area soon.

Any suggestions??? :trout:

I'm thinking about working nights when I'm done having kids and they are all in school (I can sleep while they are in school). However that's probably about 8-10 years away from now.

[bethin]

Have you talked to your husband? See what he thinks of the schedule.

I work weekend option but I don't have kids or a husband. I love it because then I'm off 5 days. But, I have to work every weekend. Most of the younger women who have small children opt to either work 4 8 hour shifts or 3 12 hour shift. They have the same complaint as you: they don't see their husband or their kids enough.

Although there is one RN that does weekend option and works Fri nights, 7p-7a and then works Sun nights same time. So she has Sat night to be with her husand and children. Is that an option?

[PMALPN]

I worked weekends for years Saturday night 7p to 7a and Sunday night 7p to 7a I love it I have three kids and a husband and it gave me plenty of time for all the family activities and school and if you need time off just request or change with another nurse, and the most important all the facility drama and patient drama happen during the day at night all you hear is the story. MY advise do not try to do too much at first enjoy the baby because they grow fast.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I work weekend option (Fri/Sat one week, Fri/Sun the next) and have done it since my son (almost 3) was about your dd's age. I like it a lot. I get lots of time the rest of the week to be with him and dh. DH does a great job with him on the weekends. It does require some sacrifices (you miss a lot of family stuff) and it does put a lot of responsibility on your hubs for the baby. But to me, it is worth it. I hope whatever you decide that it works for you.

[Deb123j]

I worked weekends for years Saturday night 7p to 7a and Sunday night 7p to 7a I love it I have three kids and a husband and it gave me plenty of time for all the family activities and school and if you need time off just request or change with another nurse, and the most important all the facility drama and patient drama happen during the day at night all you hear is the story. MY advise do not try to do too much at first enjoy the baby because they grow fast.

Weren't you too tired to do anything the next day? That's my main concern about working nights.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Weren't you too tired to do anything the next day? That's my main concern about working nights.

Some people can do it better than others, that's for sure. I for one am completely worthless the days I'm working. Some of my coworkers go home, sleep a couple hours, get up & take their kids to their stuff, come home and sleep a couple more, then come back to work. I can't do that. You have to find what your limits are.