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Discussion

Single Mom RN - Help Please

Hi all,

I'm feeling stuck and really unsure what to do - and have been for some time now.

Situation: I'm an RN and single mom to a 13 month old. My maternity leave's ended and I'm unsure how to proceed regarding work/ job search in Edmonton.

Background: I was a FT LTC RN on Vancouver Island until I got pregnant and went on leave. My shifts were 0650-1500 rotating 4 on, 2 off. I graduated 4 years ago and had some trouble landing work initially; I've mostly done LTC, private duty nursing for a family, and some private flu clinics. While on mat leave my significant other and I broke up. Due to the extreme lack of childcare, especially early mornings and weekends, I was completely unable to go back to work. Even if I had found childcare, I couldn't have afforded it along with the high cost of living on the coast. I've had no choice but to move back with my parents in Edmonton until I figure out my next move.

Assessment: Current research indicates that AB, especially the larger cities, is a very hard job market wise. If I'm honest with myself, I don't have a lot of desirable experience for hirers. With financially and with my current child care situation, I have approximately 2 months to find work . Relistically, I can only really work days being a single mom to a 1 year old who earliest will have care from 0630 to latest 1800 (although daycare only allows for a total of 10 hours). While family may occasionally be able to cover the odd hour or two, this can't be counted on. I'd be more than willing to relocate to a small/ rural area but then the issue of child care is still paramount. I'm also willing to consider jobs outside of nursing but it would need to be day hours and pay at least LPN wages.

Recommendations?: So, does anyone please have any advice????

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    • Featured Replies

    Can your parents cover daycare drop offs/pick ups and babysitting on weekends or nights?

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    • Author

    Unfortunately not in any way that could be regularly counted on. They'll help all they can but they both have unpredictable jobs and my mom lives outside of town on an acreage.

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    You need an impossible job to find. Banker's hours. Yet you were thinking of L&D?

    The only things I can think of that meet your needs are jobs that are in doctor's offices, and speciality clinics. Most of which employ LPNs.

    Even working float in acute care won't work for you because it's all 0700 starts.

    Maybe dental offices that perform IV sedation?

    Oh, and as an LPN, I'm making just under $35/hour. There is nothing non-nursing that pays that.

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    • Author

    True - that's why I was considering a different career.

    You're right, unfortunately LDR is really more of a dream at this point of my life but hoping one day down the road perhaps.

    Luckily daycare centres open earlier here (630am is easier to find) so a 7am start is doable.

    Wow - you make more than I did as an RN in BC ;) Sorry, no offense meant, should've been more specific in that thinking mid-$20/hour range as is the starting wage for LPN's that I knew back on the coast.

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    Occupational health and infection control nurses usually work M-F days, specialty courses and certification are usually required.

    Some nurses work as CPR instructors mainly M-F, instructor certification is required.

    Some nurses work for Canadian Blood Services part-time usually weekdays, no certification required.

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    Are there dementia day programs in Edmonton? If so, those programs are usually M-F days

    Are there nursing agencies that provide dementia care in the home? If so, they may have M-F nursing positions.

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    Are there dementia day programs in Edmonton? If so, those programs are usually M-F days

    Are there nursing agencies that provide dementia care in the home? If so, they may have M-F nursing positions.

    Those programmes are in union facilities and the positions are hard to get. They actually employ very few RNs. Usually an NP and staffed by LPNs

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    • Author

    Thanks so much everyone, I was stressing out but am feeling more hopeful. I just got a call for a FT M-F clinic position interview tomorrow! Fingers crossed!!! And I appreciate the other leads as well.

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    You got this! Hope everything works out for you.

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