Parenthood is a rewarding journey, but it comes with its unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to balancing work and family life, and for the moms and dads who are full time nurses, it’s even harder.
For any parent, juggling work and raising children is difficult. This is particularly true for nurses, who frequently put in lengthy shifts that include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Fortunately, the field of nursing offers a range of career options that can be more accommodating for parents, and with a little bit of advance planning (and some assistance from iCan Staffing Agency), you can find a job that provides you the time you need to spend with your family.
In this article, we’ll explore 6 nursing careers for parents, detailing what each career entails, and how it can fit into the schedule of a parent.
Top 6 Nursing Careers for Parents
#1. Home Health Nurse:
Home health nurses provide one-on-one care to patients, which can lead to more predictable and manageable workloads. This can be especially beneficial for parents who need to plan their work around their children’s routines.
Additionally, these jobs may not be as physically taxing, allowing you to care for your children without feeling as burned out. Home health nurses can frequently sit while collecting patient vitals or giving medication, as opposed to standing all day.
#2. Doctor’s Office Nurse:
In medical offices, nurses assist doctors with physical examinations, record-keeping, ordering lab tests, phone triage, and handling of standard procedures including injections, vaccinations, and vital sign taking. Nurses sometimes have to handle large objects and spend a lot of time on their feet, making the job physically taxing.
A nurse in a doctor’s office often works from 9 to 5 like any other employee if it is a private practice, offering predictability and allowing for better work-life balance.
#3. Per Diem Nurse:
Per diem nursing, is a staffing arrangement where nurses work on an on-call basis, filling in for full-time staff or supplementing existing teams during periods of high demand. Unlike traditional full-time or part-time positions, these nurses have the flexibility to choose when they work, allowing them to tailor their schedules to their preferences and other commitments.
This level of autonomy makes per diem an attractive option for moms and dads seeking a balance between their professional and personal lives.
#4. School Nurse:
School nurses work in educational settings, providing healthcare services to students. This career path is especially a good fit for you if you have kids and want to stick to the same schedule as them as it is predictable and always on a fixed schedule.
It also helps that schools across the country are mostly actively looking for nurses to hire. That includes not only primary and high schools, but colleges, universities, and other educational settings, too.
#5. Travel Nurse:
Travel nursing may also be among the greatest nursing careers for parents, depending on your circumstances. Traveling nurses have the potential to make a significant income in a short length of time. You’ll have the opportunity to take a few weeks or months off following each assignment to spend time with your family.
If you can balance childcare time with your partner, parents, or other loved ones, travel nursing can be a terrific one. Additionally, as you may have heard, there are numerous opportunities available due to the growing demand for travel nurses.
#6. Emergency Room Nurse:
For some parents, working throughout the day may not be the best option. Some people might choose to work night shifts so they can rest during the day while their children are in class. Additionally, working the night shift allows you to spend evenings with your family.
Emergency departments frequently need nurses to work night shifts since they are so busy all the time. (That typically indicates that they also have quick openings!) Furthermore, a lot of emergency medicine positions permit nurses to work day shifts if they so want, allowing you more flexibility as a parent.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the base salary for nurses as $81,220 in May 2022.
Parenthood and a fulfilling nursing career can indeed go hand in hand. These six nursing careers offer a range of options for parents, from flexible schedules to specialized roles that can align with family life. With the right choice, parents can continue to excel in their nursing careers while nurturing their families.
Are you looking for your next flexible assignment?
We can assist you if you’re seeking for a career that provides you the freedom to be a parent! We provide assignments for almost all specialties, environments, and locations across the country. Look at the openings on our job search website and find out more about what we offer here.
