I have a 2 year old daughter and a 5 week old daughter. I am hoping to go back to school to get my RN degree. Granted I will be working part time too, but I cannot get into clinicals until Winter 2012 so this gives me plenty of time to get all my general education courses and other courses out of the way before then.
My question is this. My husband currently works 3rd shift and I really want to work in a hospital in the labor and delivery/pediatrics. I know that I will be working 2nd or 3rd shift. My husband can only work 8 hour days so there is no way of him changing his shift or schedule to reflect 12 hour working days. Does anybody know how we could organize where the kids go so that we don't disrupt sleep for them? If I work 2nd shift, I won't be able to pick the kids up until after 11pm, depending where I work. I have a sister that lives 20 minutes from me and my parents and in-laws all live over a 30 minute drive. So I don't have anybody near me. I don't know of anyone around here that will go to your home and watch the kids until you get home either. I am also concerned on how I will be able to divide my time with my girls. By the time I graduate school, my youngest will probably be around 5 or so. I still want to spend time with them and I will continue to be able to, but I'm also worried during the school year I won't see them that much just because of my schedule.
Any advice will help. Thanks!
It's summer could maybe a realiable teen or elderly neighbor come and stay the night. I did that for my daughter in laws sister. He worked first shift and needed to leave before she got home. She worked 3rd. Then I stayed and let mom sleep til noon or so. I was there from about 6am to noon sometimes til 3.
Maybe you could get a nanny that would stay the night, or do a second shift babysitting job.
When I went to RN school, I honestly do not know how the mothers did it with the children in the mix! Hats off to you for wanting to do it!! I agree with the other mom, children get used to the late nights. Most schools now have clinical hours in day time and evening. When you get out and done, several hospitals will deal with shift work and have many many shifts available. This would be an issue to bring up in your interviews....
Having family only 20-30 minutes away is a lot closer than you think!! I find it rather close!! And they may be able to help you out if you present your predicament to them...
Hiring a college student is also a good idea. Most colleges have a job program where they are matched up student to job....
Hope it helps!! Good luck!! And I wish you all the best from one RN to a prospective new one!!
I would hire a nanny, or a college student that doesn't mind staying late!
you might check into having a foreign exchange student live with your family. they could be home when the kids are sleeping so they can be in their own beds. we've done it for two years and had great experiences. i would recommend a girl--they tend to be more mature and responsible than any of the boys i've met as foreign exchange students. :)
i know it's a wild idea, not really related to your question, but it's something you probably haven't thought of that could work pretty well to help with your situation. you don't have to pay the exchange student, and they don't pay you for hosting, but just having someone in the house is all you really need if the kids are in bed. just a thought, good luck with school and everything!
Greetings Victoria, I currently have 2 daughters that are doing exactly what you are planning.... Plan to get little rest, lots of stress, and take plenty of asprin! Your right- your time will be limited esp if youare inan honors course as one of mine is. So enjoy the moments you have with your children.
I feel blessed that I am able to help withthe children at least 3 days a week but since I am also working they and husbands are working it out. are having to find howto put thier priorityies in place. They both had to only take one class this summer instead of the load they've had. I feel like I am going to school all over again just becasue of the care situation and I am getting the best part the children!!!
You have chosen a wonderful thing to do but at a time in life that is tough.
I know that I have been willing to have children stay at my home for the night as nurses needed it but think you should really consider letting your children be at home and getting a Nanny.Consider the cost as part of your school expense. I would suggest that you might consider talking to a local misister and getting a recomendation. He may have someone that is needing the extra cash and will work the hours you need, or a single young mother who needs the job. I know that it will be hard and will be a stress onthe entire family so I hope you remember to Thank Everyone that is supporting and taking up the slack it will mean all the differance as to the added help some will give. Keep us informed I'd like to see how you do 2012 will be a busy year in Calif. as it is so hard to getinto some programs here but they are in line for 2012 for them. Good Luck, Nana Glenda
Contact Early Childhood Alliance in your area or check a government website for childcare centers. There are multiple that over 24 hour care. You might also consider getting a nanny that can stay with your children overnight. You can still put your kids into bed and do your night time routine. Have the nanny or babysitter stay with them overnight. Nanny can get them up about the time that you are returning home from work. You can spend your morning with them eating breakfast. They will not even know you were gone.
As a side note, I have a special needs child. The daycare center I use is a 20minute drive from my house one-way. Although it seems like a long drive, it's worth when I know my kids have good care. You wouldn't have to use your family for childcare all the time, but perhaps contact them as an emergency backup for once a month (or something like that).
When I was married, my ex-husband used to work 3rd. My child didn't even know he left because he left after he went to sleep and husband returned after baby woke up. Even if you missed breakfast when they left in the morning, you would be there to see them after school, to make dinner, etc. It will all work out.
You need to follow your dreams. Figure out what makes you happy and finding the right babysitter or nanny will fall into place. There are nanny services you can use. Talk to your friends and see if any of them have college students needing some work. Offer them a room in your house and room and board to stay there overnight. Most students study into the wee hours of the morning. If you find someone responsible, you may not have problems with people coming over at weird hours, etc. Set your ground rules. Have a backup or two ready... like your sister and another nanny.
Many 24 hour daycares and babysitters have an extra room set up like a bedroom so that the child feels at home. My girlfriend has a bedroom, toddler bed, toy box and tons of kid stuff in a room set up just for her clients. There are cots she can pull out and two kid beds.
I have watched my girlfriend's kids overnight. I either put her kids to bed first or mine. It takes them forever to fall asleep all together... too much like a party...lol.
Don't give up on your dream because you're afraid of what "might" happen. Focus on making the most of your time. If you are not happy with self, then in the end you will suffer.
Many hospitals have employees work 10-12 hour shifts 3-4 days a week. In this way, you work full-time, have more time with your family, have more days off and you spend less on daycare. If you worked a 12 hour shift from 6am-6pm or 8pm-8am, you would still be there for one meal a day available to help get ready for the day or for bed.
M
All I can tell you is that the kids get used to going home at those late hours. I've done the 24/7 care for 24 years and many of my kids have had to go home at Midnight-3am for years on end. They are so used to it that they hardly remember the trip home. It's much harder on the parents having to carry them in and out of the house and get them into the car seats at that time of night. But it's not traumatizing and the kids don't get all screwed up because of it. I've never understood why some parents are so worried about this. It's nothing like what you think it would be. There will be a little adjustment just like going to any providers house. Some providers might even let you go home and sleep first and come back first thing in the am. I'd be happy to do that with my parents. The only problem I've had is that many parents don't come back until the day shift is in full swing and then I'm over on kids. If you can wake up on time, you could talk to someone about doing it that way.
