Any nurses out there?

[verona]

I'm currently a SAHM but previously worked as a nurse working shifts.
I was just wondering how nurses/ other shift workers deal with childcare when working unsoial hours.
I'd like to get back to work eventually but can't see how I can manage it.

Verona, my dh is a nurse, so I know a little about this subject, though I'm sure there are nursey mumsnetters out there somewhere!

My dh works in a day surgery unit where the hours are mostly 8 am -4.45 pm, Mon- Fri. Once a week he has a late shift until 6.30pm, and once a fortnight (approx) a very late shift till 8.15 pm. Our dd goes to nursery full time, and whichever one of us gets out of work first picks her up. Obviously on dh's late nights that's me, and I have to make sure I'm available at a reasonable hour to pick her up. On the other days, it could be either of us- he gets a half day once a week, and some of my sessions are flexible.

Many hospitals now have "Family Friendly" policies, as a means to getting nurses and other health staff back into the workforce, so I suggest you speak to the nursing manager at your local hospital to see what's available. I know a nurse who works part-time, but her hours are spread over term times only, so that she's available for childcare when her kids are off school.This means that effectively she works full-time, but only for term weeks, the rest of the time she is off-duty.

I also know nurses who work night shifts to fit in with their husbands' hours so that one of them is always available for childcare, and I know several work in nursing homes for the same reason.

HTH

I work my shifts around my husband's. He has a fixed shift pattern(not nursing) and I work as a midwife. We do self rostering which means that you have a good deal of flexibility when planning the shifts you work. On the whole we manage childcare between us but have parents who help out when we are stuck. The down side can be that we hardly see each other sometimes. However that is not always a bad thing

Thanks for the replies.
Tissy, I don't think my local trust are very flexible, unless you're already in post and ask to change hours. My old manager just wouldn't employ someone to only work term-time or 9-5 (and I can imagine my colleagues' reaction!)

Mears, initially I worked the 2 days DP had off- he's also a nurse, but with 2 babies under 18 months at the time, it was hell never having a break.
Oh well, guess I'll have to consider a change in career...