single mom with 1 yr old

LouBean · Jul 19, 2014

I'm no expert on travel nursing (or nursing -- I'm just a student), but I am a single mother.

I don't know what your circumstances are (you mention needing a fresh start) but I would strongly urge you to think of travel nursing from a toddlers point of view. Moving from assignment to assignment is probably challenging even for seasoned [adult] nurses -- and for a kiddo? Wow.

My son is very easy-going, but it still took him some time to get used to the daycare setting, period. Let alone getting a new group of classmates and caregivers every couple months!

Please think this over with your little one in mind.

Again, I apologize if I'm not understanding your situation completely, but it's just my two cents.

flipflopsRN · Jul 19, 2014

Exactly, you're not an expert on traveling NOR on nursing. Okay let me specify, I realize I left it open by asking about daycare in general-- replies from nurse travelers please.

NedRN · Jul 19, 2014

The challenges for a single working mom are universal, it doesn't matter much what your work is. Agencies do not provide daycare, and sympathy isn't going to help either. What do you do for day care now? How do you handle call? You probably have help from family members and unless you take one with you, you will lose that support. I've never seen a traveler with young children traveling alone and don't see how you can make it work. An au pair perhaps, but there goes financial independence.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jul 19, 2014

Exactly, you're not an expert on traveling NOR on nursing. Okay let me specify, I realize I left it open by asking about daycare in general-- replies from nurse travelers please.

Wow- pretty harsh response for someone who was just trying to help.

trackhead, APRN · Jul 19, 2014

I've been travelling for a year with my two year old, who is now three. I am travelling with my non-working wife. I don't want to start a big debate about child care ethics and opinions, but I will tell you my child has had zero issues adjusting to moving around and living in a motorhome.

I say do it. I feel "stability" comes from love and caring for your child, not from surroundings.

amoLucia · Jul 19, 2014

Wow- pretty harsh response for someone who was just trying to help.

Dang! I agree too.

To LouBean - I thought you were giving an appropriate, thoughtful answer.

Junebug903, LPN · Jul 20, 2014

Tough choice as a single parent...do what you think is best for you and you child. I have always wanted to work as a travel nurse, but have always thought if I had kids, I couldn't do it. You never know until you try.

P.S. Please be kind to the people trying to give you the help you asked for. :cat:

shoegalRN, RN · Jul 20, 2014

I am a single mother who travel, but I waited until my son graduated high school and went off to college before I jumped into traveling. I did this simply because I did not want to uproot my child from his home and his school and friends and he would have to do it every 3 months. It simply was not worth it for me.

I suppose it wouldn't be so bad since your child is not in school as of yet, however, you will need to consider child care options for your call time. If you need to be at the hospital within a 30 minute time frame, do you have a last minute babysitter that you can count on? Do you plan on traveling with a family member who can provide child care? No agency that I know of would provide child care. The only thing you would get is a housing stipend and meals and incidentals stipend like every other traveler.

You said you need to be financially independent, but between paying for daycare and possibly allowing the agency to find your housing, you probably won't make too much more than what you are making now. Most travelers find their own housing and pocket their stipends, this is how they make a killing financially in most cases. And when I say find their own housing, most rent rooms or roommate with other travelers or possibly do extended stay hotels. If you can travel to a location that you have family, you possibly can make this work.

Good luck to you!

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 21, 2014

As an experienced traveler I would say no. Finding suitable daycare long distance would be difficult to impossible. It would be hard on your child to adjust to a new strange caregiver every few months. If your caregiver or your child becomes ill you do not have sick leave and may also owe your company payback money for the missed shift.

Since you are there to fill the needs of the hospital they are unlikely to be sympathetic to scheduling difficulties you may have and may cancel your contract.

Sorry if this sounds harsh but it really is not very practical to attempt unless you have a caregiver who travels with you.

mycsm · Jul 21, 2014

I think Im a little afraid to write what I think on this post.....don't need to be "spoken to"....umph

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2014

Exactly, you're not an expert on traveling NOR on nursing. Okay let me specify, I realize I left it open by asking about daycare in general-- replies from nurse travelers please.

Well, that was rude ... ?