Working weekends/schedules? r/o

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Just when I've about been accepted in to LPN school I'm getting cold feet. I've starting researching jobs and the reality has dawned on me that as a nurse I'll probably always work a good deal of weekends. This concerns me because that is my only family time to speak of. I was wondering what the "real life" is lactually like and if my fears are unfounded. I'm scared I've made the wrong career choice. I'm probably being a big chicken!

I don't think you are being shallow for wanting to not work weekends to be with your child. You have a ligitimate concern and were simply looking for reassurance from someone that may be in your shoes. Working at a hospital may not be an option right away but there are other options. There are doctors offices you can work in, outpatient facilities, home health care is an option, so on and so forth. It may not be as much money but it's certainly a start. Who knows where you can go from there. You can find a way to may it work if you want it bad enough. Don't give up.

I know-that is completely true. That's why I'm getting cold feet; hence the original post. I wouldn't blame employers for not working around my crazy life! I'm just concerned that I'll put the time, money and effort in to school and I won't be able to make it work. It's not that I don't want to but I really don't have any family around to help out and I live in an area where childcare is pretty outrageus. I'm not giving up-just exploring my options right now and trying to be realisitic. What's meant to be will be (or so they say!).
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Thanks guys for you supoortive posts! I think I just needed a boost of reassurance. This is a big decision for me but I think I'm going to go ahead and sign the final paperwork and pay my deposit next week. I'm just going to go for it and worry about the other hurdles later. Thanks again!

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Cindy....I think you made a great decision to move forward. I just got accepted to LPN school also. I know of several LPNs that do not work weekends because they work with disabled/medically-challenged school-aged children (and they go to school with them as a personal nurse). You could try that route if you can't work weekends.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Good luck to you.

There are facilities that are few and far between that have enough weekend option workers, working every weekend that staff doesn't have to work weekends. Many places have a per diem option that is self-scheduling. Also there are many other jobs that don't work weekends.

You have to realistically accept the fact that as a new grad those jobs are going to be hard to get because they require experience and you might be looking for a job for a long while after you graduate, but that might not be an issue with you.

You have to realistically remember as Marie said, there are lots of mothers in nursing (it's female dominated you know) with lots of issues revolving their number 1 priority - their family, and institutions have to be fair and consistent in meeting the "uniqe" needs of everyone.

By not working weekends you are going to shut yourself out of a lot of opportunties, especially the ones that offer the most skills.

For God's sake please don't take a job and then announce "I can't do this and that because of my kids". Don't get me started on nurses who pull that one. Be very upfront in the interview what you can and can not do.

We self-schedule, with the requirement of working every other weekend. I love having days off during the week while spouse is working and I'm sure he loves having the weekends alone while I'm at work. :)

Good luck. There's no need not to pursue your dreams.

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Good for you!

Thanks guys for you supoortive posts! I think I just needed a boost of reassurance. This is a big decision for me but I think I'm going to go ahead and sign the final paperwork and pay my deposit next week. I'm just going to go for it and worry about the other hurdles later. Thanks again!
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keep your head up!

i completely understand how u feel. i have 2 young children my self and love to be with them on the weekends as well. my husband works weekends so its usually just me. i am lucky to have mom nearby. becoming a LPN is great.

Be blessed things will work out.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Depends on the employer.

Which is why i said most and not all.

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I work 16 hour shifts Satuday & Sunday and occasionally during the week. I love it! I am home M-F for my family and I can study for my RN. Any day I have off is a weekend to me!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I work 16 hour shifts Satuday & Sunday and occasionally during the week. I love it! I am home M-F for my family and I can study for my RN. Any day I have off is a weekend to me!
I am another weekend LVN, working 16 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday. I work 32 hours and get paid for a 40-hour work week, while getting Monday through Friday off. Five days off in a row is an incentive for many people.
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I found that work sing in LTC, everyone wants weekends and holidays off, understandably, but reality is that its probably not always gonna happen. We are always short-staffed and sometimes are needed to work doubles on the weekend. I also like to work weekends though, as it frees up time during the week to catch up on shopping and such, without dealing with the crowds and the atmosphere is a little more relaxed at work without the DON and Admin. walking around.

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