single parents and 12 hour shifts.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

How do you handle the fact that most daycares close at 6:00 pm, but you don't get off till 7:00 and sometimes do not make it home until 8:00 or 8:30.

I have no family in my area and the only people I know are in my nursing program, so they don't really know what they will work and they don't know their hours yet either, so I really can't ask one of them to pick up my kids.

I can have someone to pick them up from the daycare at 6:00 three times a week, but I am so worried about something happening to that sitter and I will have to leave work to got get them. I don't want to be unreliable at work, but I also want my kids to be safe and happy.

I guess what I'm asking is, how do other parents handle this? I'm sure it is way too long for them to be at home alone; they are 7 and 5.

does anyone have any tips and I know I need a back up for my back up plan, but that is not really possible.

I really want ICU and I know I will have a great experience at this one particular hospital and they only have 12 hour shifts. I guess I could ask to work 7-3, but I don't know it that is possible ( I will ask when I start as an extern there).

Any tips? Advice?

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I found someone who wanted to come in an hour late and we worked opposite each other all the time. She picked the kids up (hers and mine) and we transferred them in the parking lot ;p We picked up the slack for each other all the time.

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Could you move where your family is located?

I personally could never have done it without family support.

steph

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Get creative! Ask around for anyone who might be able to help or know someone who can. Post notes at local churches, community centers and colleges. There may be other parents, caregivers or students out there who also need creative assistance. Find a way that both of you benefit (whether it's swapping babysitting, looking after someone's aged parents while they go shopping, etc). Of course, before you send your kids off with someone, spend some time getting to know them, visit their house, meet their friends/family, etc. If you don't have family around, sometimes you can create your own!

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I am not a parent, however, I agree with the above poster that you need to get creative. What about putting an ad out for local college students that you are looking for someone available to pick up your children from daycare, bring them home, feed them, and just keep them busy until you get home. Offer to pay a little for their gas mileage and an hourly rate and I would think you would get a dependable and responsbile student to do this.

I know at my university there are always ad's for this type of thing in our local school paper. Unfortunately most of the ad's request that only females apply, thus I am unable to apply for any of them.

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Specializes in ED, Rehab, LTC.

I will soon be in the same position, I have one child and I hope I can find a good hospital that offers eight hour shifts, but I have also found it difficult to find a daycare that opens at 6a. Anyway I was desperate for help for a couple of months in my first year of school and I asked the head of the child care facility if she new anyone who would help me out. She did and it was one of the teachers that I was familiar with. It worked out perfectly. So maybe someone at your childrens daycare or school can help.

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Yes the idea of moving by your family sounds good could you possibly do that?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
I found someone who wanted to come in an hour late and we worked opposite each other all the time. She picked the kids up (hers and mine) and we transferred them in the parking lot ;p We picked up the slack for each other all the time.

That is an awesome idea! I think I'd even have time to find a coworker that could do it because I'm sure the beginning of our internship will be more flexible. I hope someone has kids!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
Yes the idea of moving by your family sounds good could you possibly do that?

I'd love to do that, but none of the hospitals in my hometown offer loan repayment, money for uniforms, NCLeX pay and review -- you know, all the perks. Oh and they pay a lot less too.

They also don't have this GREAT internship. It's ICU for twelve months with supportive preceptors who are given bonuses and training, so I know I will not be treated badly for being a new grad.

I just am so drawn to this facility and I need to finish grad school here also. My kids like it here and my family is with in driving distance for weekend visits, but it's too far to drive everyday.

I think I will be able to follow the above suggestions about putting the ad in the paper for a college student, I just worry about them getting sick or something and not being available. I guess I just want all my ducks in a row.

Thank u all. You pointed out some solutions I hadn't even thought of.

allnurses to the rescue again.

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Specializes in ICU, Geri, Education.

CRNASOMEDAY25,

Good luck. I am sure you will find a way to work it out.

-S

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I like the idea about an ad in the college paper. I work nights and my husband just started working days. I would like to get some sleep during the day (haha) but is impossible with 2 kids. An ad in the college paper for someone to watch the kids while I sleep would be great! Thanks for the idea ;-)

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Specializes in ED.

Can you find some teens in the neighborhood that would be able to come in as a backup if needed? Usually they like the extra money and if you could get the kids a ride home, the teen could come babysit until you get home. Church's usually have a list of babysitters.

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