thinking ahead

[Nurse wanna-be]

Hi there!

I'm still looking into this career and trying to find out all aspects of it... so that i can hopefully make this decision soon!!

I've been hearing that after the schooling is finished, it's ideal to get at least a year working in the hospital setting. i was wondering if there are any nurses out there that had young kids at home during this time frame and how it was managed? (like what shift did you do, manageable between home and work...)

any info is appreciated!

thanks a ton!

Have a great day!

[Snowii]

Well my cousin worked night shift. Her husband worked days and stayed at home with the kids at night. She was home by the time the kids got on the bus for school, she would sleep until they got home, have a family dinner and go to work. She did that at the hospital for a few years until she got on at a private practice and worked 9 to 5 =)

It will be worth it I think in the long run. My family is used to having Christmas on Dec 28th or 29th when the nurses and the like can get off, a holiday is just a day we all get together at the same time in my family. '

Good luck.

[FLmomof5]

My mother did that routine for 35 years...until she retired! :heartbeat

[sunray12]

Some hospitals have 3-12 hour shift schedules so you'd have four days off if that helps. If you can afford to get by on less money you could also work 2-12s - so just two days or nights per week. Some places will pay you ft wages for 24 hours but I don't think that deal is common. Also pick a job that's close by or move near to your hospital. Your life-work balance will be much easier if you don't spend your off days fatigued from a lengthy commute.