What are the best days & shifts for moms?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.

Do you love your schedule?

I'll be jobhunting soon as a new LPN, and was wondering what hours Moms worked who loved their schedule.

  • What is your schedule?
  • What do you like about your schedule?
  • What would you change if you could?
  • Is is possible to 'have it all?'
  • How far would you commute for your perfect job?

I doubt I'll have much of a choice in my schedule, but I have a DD in grade school, and I don't want to turn her into more of a latchkey kid than I already have since I went back to school full time. I also have 2 in college next year, so I know how fast they grow up and I don't want to me an absent parent, yet I want to work enough hours so that I know what's going on where I work.

Any input would be appreciated:bow:

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

A 11p-7a schedule sounds like it would work well for you.....

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.

Doesn't 11-7 totally mess up your natural sleep rhythm?

I can hardly stay awake until 10PM, I can't imagine staying awake all night.:eek:

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I have two girls and working night shift has been the best option for me. I did not work nights until my first was born. This way we have no childcare to pay for, and my girls have their mom home. I am a "faker" stay at home mom. If I could the best option would be part time nights with two nights off in between each shift. I work full time so I just try and not work more than two in a row.

good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.
I have two girls and working night shift has been the best option for me. I did not work nights until my first was born. This way we have no childcare to pay for, and my girls have their mom home. I am a "faker" stay at home mom.

OMG.. You work 11-7, then take care of 2 little ones during the day?

When do you sleep??

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Specializes in LPN.

I currently work two 12 hour shifts on the weekends because my parents can watch the kids and it saves literally hundreds of dollars per month in child care. However, my kids don't like spending so much time away from me since weekends are so often an important family time. I like being a stay-at-home mom on the weekdays for my son, but my older daughter feels she doesn't see me much since that is when she is school.

When my son starts going to school next year, I'm hoping to switch to three 12 hour weekdays while they are in school. I will pay for before and after school care for those 3 days a week, but I will also be working more hours (it makes the difference between full time and part time), and we will have weekends to ourselves. I'm hoping to "buy" more real family time that way.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
Doesn't 11-7 totally mess up your natural sleep rhythm?

I can hardly stay awake until 10PM, I can't imagine staying awake all night.:eek:

It sure can. Welcome to the life of a nurse!

A lot of people adjust well to working the night shift. You could work 11p-7a, come home, send DD off to school, and have the quiet house to yourself to sleep in until school lets out. You could then have the afternoon and dinner time together, bedtime activities, and a short nap before heading back to work.

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I work F, S, Su night shift, 12 hours. I have 2 girls both will be in grade school in fall. I do this to save money and have more consecutive days off with girls/husband. It is not ideal but what really is when you work and raise a family. It's difficult to have best of both worlds. I like my hours for now though!

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Specializes in Plastic Surgery, ER.

Thanks for asking that question 3sodapop~

I pretty much have decided to go to the hospital FT 3 12's nights to accomodate school. I have a 10 year old and husband who's a firefighter that works 24 hours shifts. So I'm trying to figure out how I can make a night shift schedule work for me.

I have never worked in the hospital FT, always a M-F job and work in the ED PRN.

Keep the opinions coming guys!

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Specializes in telemetry.

Work 12hr nights. Two in a row. Husband works at home so takes over when I am resting before a shift. Truly an ideal situation.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

Find what works for you. It's different for everyone. I work nights...and LOVE it. I sleep when the kids are at school.

I have a friend who went into home health. she works days/nights and is home with her family during the evening.

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Specializes in ER, Acute, home health, LTC, & Psy.

I have been working nights 7p-7a 2-3x/wk. I have two girls, 14 and 6 and i get to be home to help with homework, dinner and kiss them goodbye. The 14 yo makes sure there in bed by 830pm. I get off work and the 14 yo helps the 6 yo ready for school the next day and I drive them to school and then hit the sheets. That's all a single parent can do with no family available to help. :uhoh3:

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