Nursing vrs Family

Bailarina · Sep 11, 2003

Hi, I don't have kids yet, but I have several friends who are nurses that do, and actually they say that the schedules they work as nurses makes it easier to spend time with their children. If you work 12 hr shifts which most hospitals offer, you work only 3 days a week opposed to 5, and several hospitals like Baylor, also have the weekend option schedules. One of the advantages of nursing is the flexible schedule!

Hidi74 · Sep 11, 2003

I agree, most nurses I know really enjoy being able to fix their schedules around the familys needs. I think it may be the perfect job for a mom!

ethelbsnrn · Sep 11, 2003

I am a mom with 2 toddlers. My husband is currently in the nursing program. The Baylor plan works for us. I love it. He is in school Monday thru Thursday. I work Fri thru Sunday.

teenycheetah · Dec 3, 2003

Hello, I think it really depends on you and your living situation. Whether or not you have support (ie. husband, family), will determine how much time you will be able to spend with your family. I am a mother of two, age 5 and 2, and in the beginning of my nursing career I was not with their father and worked an hour away from home. Most days would get off around 4 to 430 and with Dallas traffic coming home in rush hour, had several days where I was able to call my brother to go and pick them up for me. That worked for me, but for some people they don't have that support. When I was finally able to start working 12 hrs and 16 hr shift, my mom was home and was able to baby sit for me. So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you have that support then it works out pretty good, but most day cares will not watch your babies until 8 or 9 pm, they usually close at 530 or 6. Now that my childrens father and I are back together it works out great. I work 3-4 days, 12 hrs shift, and he is able to pick them up from daycare, then I have the other days to spend with them. Another thing is my oldest daughter takes gymnastics on Tues, and I am able to say, I can not work this day. You just have to find a hosptial that is willing to work with you and who overs that flexiblity.

Shotzie · Dec 28, 2003

I think Nursing is the perfect career for a mother.

I have always been able to adjust my schedule to fit the needs of my family. Like a lot of nurses, I have done a lot of different things in my career and worked in a lot of different places. As my children have grown we have all had different needs and I was always able to find a job with hours that matched what I needed.

BjOnrs · Jan 2, 2004

I worked in hospitals for 30 years with children as a single mother. My son says I was only off Christmas twice during the 18years he remembers. I know I was off at least part of Christmas day because I worked 8hr shifts then. I do remember the first time I was off on New Years day--I didn't know they had parades and programs. Birthdays, programs, school meetings and so forth can Usually be scheduled around if you have enough notice. But if your children expect you to be involved in their life, I mean really involved, nursing in the hospital is not for you. There are other places to work in the nursing field but you need to ask yourself what is important to you. If you don't mind working holidays, weekends, etc. It is the best. If nursing really is your passion, then go for it and get your maximum education because then you will have more options. Good Luck!