Single Parent CNA

[HMagouirk]

I am a recent CNA graduate, and am looking to expand further. When I went to school, my kids were with their father. I am getting full custody starting this Summer, so now I have to plan my job search around their schedule. Working 6 am - 2 pm was my original plan, but now I don't know how I'd do that if they need to be on the bus by 7 am. And what if they miss the bus? Or get sick? And what if there is an unexpected holiday? I have no family or friends to help, and little money. I'm starting to think that even though healthcare is where I feel my calling, it just won't happen. I'm feeling overwhelmed right now. Per diem work would not give me the security that I need, and if I worked night shift, I wouldn't be home in time to get them up and ready. I don't know what to do.

[fawnmarie, ASN]

Some facilities are flexible and will work with CNAs when they have circumstances such as yours. I worked in one facility where day shift was from 7am-3pm, but one CNA was allowed to come in and work 7:30-3pm in order to get her kids dropped off at school. She would work through her lunch break and kept snacks in the nurse's station. I would ask your prospective employer about making a reasonable accommodation for you, since you are a single mother without a strong support system.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Is there a neighbor you tust that can drop your kids off to school? Maybe you can pay someone to do it. Being a single parent is not easy. I applaud your strength nd determination.

[4everstudent15]

Have you thought about working with a home health or hospice agency?

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I was recently separated when I became a CNA. I worked on call, mostly nocs. My ex kept them or I left them at home at night. I had a 5, 11 and 16 y/o, then.

Later, I was able to get subsidized daycare and worked am and pm shifts during the week. I worked any shift available on days they were with my ex.

Now, as a single divorced mom nurse, my child has access to after school care until 6, and I use licensed day care after those hrs. I still only work m-th am and pm shifts and I work any shift when my son is at his fathers. I have been paying for day care out of pocket now for about a year.

I've worked full time in LTC since becoming a nurse. When I was a Cna I worked a hospital registry.

[Momtomykiddos]

I work in LTC, and work with several single-parent CNAs. Look for a daycare with flexible hours, or into before or after school care. As a single parent, you can likely qualify for daycare assistance, too.

Per diem can be a good way to go. If you're concerned about not getting enough hours, can you apply at more than one place? At my facility, there are some people that work half shifts, and they'll work the second half of days and the first half of eves.

Different facilities also have different shift times, so that might be something worth looking into as well.

Set aside some time, do some research, and make some phone calls! Call around to daycare centers and home daycare. Look into assistance for daycare. And call around to facilities and positions to fond out what kind of hours and flexibility they have. As previously mentioned, home health and hospice are good with flexibility.

Just keep looking--there are options out there!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Another point: it was fairly easy (thank God) to find daycare open early in the morning for me to work AM shifts. I was also able to find day care when I worked pm shifts. I've never used daycare to work nocs, I save nocs for days my ex has visitation.

I paid out of pocket and used subsidized daycare for am and pm shifts.

I always consulted my licensed daycare provider before applying and accepting a position to make sure she could accommodate my hrs.