Very mom-friendly career choice! I work nights. Some 12s, some 8s, about 5 nights a week. Yes, I'm always tired, yes, I look like crap. But... I have never missed a field trip, our day care costs are minimal (nanny three mornings a week so I can nap) and I'm available during the day for doctor's appts, errands, volunteering in the classroom, etc. Someday when all the kids are in school my daycare costs will be 0 and I will be able to sleep 5 hours every day! It sucks now, but it is the best arrangement for the kids.

I worked for 6 years as an RN and had my 2 kids while I was working 12-hour shifts--first FT (3 12-hour shifts), then when my oldest was 1 I went to 2 12s and also started grad school PT. I then had my second and worked PRN (about 3-5 shifts a month) until I was done with my degree and found the job I wanted.

I now work as an NP, which I (generally) love.

You will have a very hard time finding child care that will cover the hours you need to work 12-hour shifts. Your best bet is a sitter or an in-home daycare. We paid for FT daycare when my oldest was an infant, and we used about 25 hours/week, but that was doable with 1 kid. I found a place near my work where I could drop him off at 6:45 and DH did pickup. I worked 2 shifts during the week, and then worked every Friday night--would nap in the afternoon before I went in, then on Saturday mornings DH would take DS out for 3-4 hours so I could sleep. It wasn't great but it was manageable and allowed me to work close to FT (36 hours/week) while being a very hands-on mom. Once we had my second we eventually found a nanny who was willing to work with our schedule.

The PP was right that it will be tough to find something PT as a new grad. Working in a clinic might be an option but those are generally not RN jobs--usually MAs or LPNs. If you can work FT for even a year or two you will gain a lot more options and also, in the long run, have a much more attractive resume as an NP.

Honestly, it is a very mom-friendly career. Even while working "full time" (at only 36 hours/week) you get 4 days a week off which is amazing.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies so far. For those of you who say you used to work 12 hour shifts, what do you do now? Are you still in the nursing field, and if so, in what capacity?

And to the PP who is finishing her NP degree- congratulations! I can imagine it is tough. As you said-- the logistics! Finding flexible, high quality child care has been quite a challenge. Thanks for your feedback.

i"m still a nurse and am employed by a disease management company. the pay is not as good as hospital nursing, but i dont have to work nights or holidays. the work is very rewarding but definitely not the adrenaline rush i used to get in icu

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was an RN I always worked 3-12's. I am nwt a CRNA and work more of a 9-5 schedule and I really miss my 3/12 days! I worked Monday, Tuesday, Saturday. It was really hard not seeing my kids on Mondays and Tuesdays but after that hump we had the rest of the week together and Saturday they did fun stuff with Dad. It worked for my family really well to be honest.

Do CRNA's make that much more than RN's who work a little overtime? It seems like a very expensive program and I wonder if it pays off?

New poster, but yes. Very well paid speciality.

Anonymous wrote:When I was an RN I always worked 3-12's. I am nwt a CRNA and work more of a 9-5 schedule and I really miss my 3/12 days! I worked Monday, Tuesday, Saturday. It was really hard not seeing my kids on Mondays and Tuesdays but after that hump we had the rest of the week together and Saturday they did fun stuff with Dad. It worked for my family really well to be honest.

Do CRNA's make that much more than RN's who work a little overtime? It seems like a very expensive program and I wonder if it pays off?