Job offer 9-5 school nurse with kids?

[QuirkyTealKoala]

Hi all!

Bit of background- I've got 2 children aged 8 and 3 8 year old has adhd and I completed a nursing degree a year ago I haven't been working since and live somewhat comfortably but do struggle sometimes- reckon it could be better if I budgeted!

I've been applying for jobs within nursing just to have a look really, and I got offered a position within school nursing. It would be a secondment/scholarship where I would have to work 2-3 days a week and go to uni 1/2 days a week to make up a full time 9-5 week. The uni is 2 hours away but this isn't expected every week only a couple times a month. I know 3 girls doing the course this year so I have some support academic/work wise already!

upon qualifying, I will be able to work a lot more flexible, a lot of working from home, able to drop to part time, generally a lot more flexible. I will also go up to a band 6 (starting salary 38k) once I have qualified. I get Christmas and half terms etc off with my kids which is part of the reason I haven't done bedside nursing due to the hours.my partner is supportive and my son will only be going nursery 3 times a week.

my predicament is should I try my best and review at Christmas and if it's too much defer until next sept when my son starts school, or not put the pressure on myself, decline the offer and then reapply next year when my son is in school? I want to work to give my babies a good life, have a good work-life balance and show them you can go out and get whatever you want!!!

any help would be appreciated ❤️

I can't see any reason why you wouldn't do it this year. But if you think the offer will still be there next year and you'd prefer to wait/are comfortable then do that.

Will you be paid to work while doing the course? If so, do it! It might not be available when you want it to be, and it’ll be much easier to sort any wraparound care if you know for certain what you’ll need rather than trying to figure it out hypothetically.

It sounds like a great opportunity. No crazy 12 hour shifts which are so hard with childcare, some school hols off.

You do need a solid plan for your uni days, probably family since it would be such a long day. If you can manage that it sounds well worth it to me.

School nursing is such a unique and valuable role. Less in evidence now they are in schools less perhaps, but they can make a real difference for children and parents.

Honestly I’d do it now if you can. By time you qualify your kids will be in school and you’ll be more flexible like you said. It sounds like a great opportunity and if your partners is on board then it’s a no brainer xx

I would totally go for it if I had an opportunity like this. It's considering what's best for your family in the long term.

I only had my kids in childcare (apart from the standard Pre-School from age 3) and worked around that but, in your position, I would grab this opportunity with both hands and put your youngest in childcare.

• I only had my kids in childcare for 6 months during their whole childhood.

It sounds great. 9-5 is completely normal in terms of working hours. I was doing 9-5 some days and 6am-8pm other days when my dc were younger than that. I also had a longer than 2 hour commute several days a week, meaning I left before they woke up and got home after they were in bed. Plus you get the benefits of training and school holidays off.

I did the shvpn course as a single parent to a breastfeeding baby, it was hard work but very doable, do you think you maybe a bit nervous and looking for excuses? It's a good opportunity, take it.

i don't understand this comment?? How does this help

Thanks all!

I think my main concern is I don't want nursery to have him more than me- but I think the mix of days make up for it and he will only be doing 3 days. So some days yes I am working 4-5 days a week but then the next I have 4 days off in a row with him. I have half terms with him which makes it easier to spend some real quality time with them both and the extra pennies will help have some lovely day trips that we cannot afford all the time currently.

I know my daughter will be fine it's just the little one

I know what you mean but nursery is not having him more than you, you still get 4 days per week plus the hols.

I think it's actually a great time. People say oh I'll go back to work when the child starts school, but they are still really small when they start and it's a big transition. A full day in nursery with 1:8 ratio is inevitably lower demand on them than wraparound, school, wraparound in a class of 30. I would argue it's gentler to make the move while he has the extra consistency and attention that nursery can give him.

I think the hours and holiday leave will be much better than being in a hospital. Personally I don't know how hospital based staff cope with their long shifts. If your course is paid for this opportunity will be tremendous.

This was just a correction to their previous post.

Are you sure you can get a band six job, with no experience since qualifying? How have you maintained your registration and practice hours?

I actually think it would be easier to go back to work with your youngest in full time nursery, than when he starts school. Reception classes are notoriously awkward for wanting children in and out at different times, and various parents events. At nursery you drop them off and pick them up and no juggling required which is much easier when you're trying to manage a new job/routine as well.

Hey,

yes I will a specialist community public health nurse with the masters degree. A lot of places tend to keep you on after secondment.

Ex school nurse here, go for it now! I promise you, you will not regret it! Don’t defer for a year as you have no idea what will be on offer next year!