RN midnights

movie734

So I'm starting a new job here in April at a hospital. I've only worked in nursing homes so I don't know what to expect there. I've got a full time position for midnights 12 hour shifts... 3 on 2 off 2 on 3 off. My LO is going on 8 months old, and my heart is breaking. I've done the full-time midnights thing before but i really really hated where i worked so i didn't pay much attention to the schedule, only the fact that I was beyond miserable working there. So now I have a chance at a fresh start, but I need to know from other moms how they handle the separation from their babies. My heart is breaking. Does the full time 12 hour shifts work out for you?

steph0501

The 12s are long, but I am on days.  I don't do 3 in a row, I do Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.  I think three in a row is too much for me to be away from my LO, but some moms love just getting it all done at once.  I love the 12s only because I get 4 days off.  I stay pretty busy so that really helps.  My DH sends me pics while I work and that also helps. 

Since you will be on nocs, think of it this way - you won't really be missing anything b/c your LO will be sleeping!  Thats wonderful!  I would do nocs for that reason but then I don't know how I would ever sleep during the day! 

I am interviewing for a weekender program here soon and am hoping that will be better.  I do like the 12s, but sometimes they do get to be a little long. 

LouRN09

I currently do 12 hr day shift in a hospital. As pp mentioned, the best part about working nights is that LO will be asleep! However, you will definitely want to arrange maybe half day childcare for some days so you can get some sleep too! Alot of our night shift RN's are moms and it works out for them!

While I dont mind the long shifts, I certainly do love the 4 days off. However, what is really getting to me is working the holidays (missing Christmas and Easter mornings really breaks my heart) and working so many dang weekends (we work every 3rd). Although I am off 4 days with DS, I miss alot of family time with DH and our families with birthdays, sport games, etc etc etc and that is priceless to me. So, I am currently job hunting for a M-F nursing position (either admin or in an MD office).

tfane

I currently work full times on nights as an RN. I like the days off, plus, even if you work holidays you can spend half the day with your family. Once my baby is here I'm going to drop down to part time--that way I only have to spend two days a week away from my baby.

mrsseguin

I work 3 12 hour night shifts.  I don't do any days in a row.  DS goes to DC the morning after I work, and I keep DD home with me and take a nap when she does.  It's usually enough sleep to get me through the day and I can sleep that night.  I'm just used to doing it...it's hard some days, but if I worked days, I'd see a lot less of the kids.  I feel like I get to spend a lot of time with them. 

Is there anyway you could not do 3 in a row? I used to work weekend cadre, and didn't see anyone for 3 days.  I just worked, slept, worked and slept.  I maybe saw DS and DH for an hour or 2 each day.  That was pretty hard to do.  Good Luck with your new job.  What unit are you going to be on?  I work in L&D.