I feel like my quality of life is poor. Part of the reason I became a RN was to be able to work 3/ 12 hr shifts and spend the rest of the time w/my 2 kids and husband. I feel like I rarely see them as I usually only get 2 days off between workdays adn I feel like I'm recuperating the first part of the day and catching up on all the laundry, dishes, etc the rest of the time. I have a long commute so my kids are in bed by the time I get home at 8:30pm. My husband gets in to town from his long commute and picks up the kids from after school and gets home at almost 6pm. I feel like there's gotta be a better way for us, but haven't figure it out. I want more time w/my kids but have to work at least PT in order to pay back student loans, etc.
Any ideas on how to spend more time with my kids? They're 6 and 7 and they're only young once.
M., I know where you are coming from, I am an RN who worked 12 hour shift. That shift will burn you out fast!!! I think working more days and shorter shifts 8 hour shifts vs 3-- 12 hour shifts are better for a family.
Some other more flexible options are working per diem or as a homecare nurse.
I can't answer the questions about RN work, but if you're feeling like you're playing catch-up on the chores on your days off, I think it's time to enlist the rest of the family with that. Yes, 6 and 7 year olds can do everything, but they can be taught how to load a dishwasher or wash dishes by hand. They can sort laundry and do basic laundry if they have a stepstool/assistance in getting it out of the washer. They can learn to sweep the floor, wipe out the bathroom sink, swish the toilet bowl w/ cleaner, etc.
I would say that you should sit down as a family and discuss the issue (maybe discuss w/ your DH first, so he knows what's coming and can help with the conversation). Explain that you miss the kids and want to spend more time with them. Explain that in order to be able to do that, everyone needs to chip in more so that Mom isn't spending all her time at home cleaning, and instead spend more time doing fun stuff. Then, enlist their help (maybe make a chore chart to help with it). Dad will need to be on board, since he'll be supervisor for the kids when they are doing their chores....
Maybe, on one night per week, you can let the kids have a special, late bed time of 9 or 9:30, so you can come home and play a game with them or read books or watch part of a movie. Try planning other things, like, have Dad bring the kids and meet you half home to go putt-putt golfing or bowling or something like that once a month.
My SIL struggles with this... her kids were a little older when she started, and she did switch to the night shift. However, the kids bedtimes, especially the younger one's, got totally messed up. He'd stay up really late just so he could see his mom, and then be tired all the time....
M., I'm the opposite of you. I'm a Nurse Practitioner who hasn't worked in years and I, also, wish that I could get out and work a few days a week. Look into job sharing with another RN who's also a mother and needs some flexibility. Don't be afraid to bring it up to your supervisor. Maybe a doctors office would work. I don't know what kind of nursing that you do so it's hard to give ideas. Make the time that you do have with them memorable and just spend time doing a puzzle or playing board games. They always remember that stuff.
what about working the night shift? you could sleep while they are in school and spend at least a couple of hours w/ them when they get out of school before going into work.
