Any nurses in Scotland? Question about work flexibility

[QuietBatperson15]

Hi there

Ive started my final year of nursing and due to qualify next year. I am starting to freak out a bit about finding a job to work around the family. I knew this wouldn’t be easy but thought I’ll cross that bridge when it comes…well it is approaching fast!

I have limited help from family, as in they couldn’t commit to constant childcare like drop off and pick ups (both kids will be in primary school). Their dad works full time, away from 7:30am till 6:30pm.

Have thought about community nursing and a childminder to do pickups but I’d like to work in a ward initially. Is it true that wards are trying to be more family friendly? If I was to request a contract of 2 shifts per week (25 hour?) with as many night shifts as possible, is this likely to be considered? I could ask for the odd school pickup from family just not every week. Night shifts would mean not needing help at all.

has anyone found that being permanent bank has solved childcare issues? I know that’s not possible until after 6months employment but thinking ahead.

any advice would be much appreciated 😊

My DIL does shifts for the Nursing Guild, chooses her shifts, where she works and says the pay is good, she’s done that for 7 years now. My friends daughter is a nurse in a prison and she does fixed hours/days every week.

Thank you! Funnily enough I was wondering about the prison service, I missed a presentation on this and wish I’d seen it. The nursing guild would be great to get onto, a bit like the bank but better pay. That’s a good sign your DIL has been doing it long term.

I think the wards would bite of your hand if you offered to do mainly nights. Nights suck and so many people don't like doing them.

Id be thrilled if that was the case . Have got the impression nights have become more desirable for childcare across the board, if there’s someone at home while kids are sleeping then the parents can swap over in the morning. The pay rate is also higher. But there tends to be a lot of bank/agency nurses on at night when I’m doing shifts so this is a good sign they need the cover.