Opinions Please...(kind of long-sorry!)

[MissNurse]

Ok. DH and I are having issues with some stuff, and I need some fresh ideas. DH was promoted to a new position within his company at the beginning of April. This is a blessing. The problem is that the job is in another store about an hour and a half away. I am a school nurse right now, and I am finishing out my contract. It ends June 3. He is currently commuting. Our house has not sold yet, and it has been on the market since October. We cannot afford another house until we sell the current one. I am going to have to find another job over in the new town. I don't know anyone, and there are no openings in my field anywhere to be found. I thought about applying to work prn (as needed) at the hospital. I have been out of that line of work for over 6 years. However, I am the one always responsible for taking the kids to/from school, dr appointments, etc. School nursing made it easy for me to do that since I started doing this my daughter's kindergarten year. The problem with the hospital idea is that DH has lots of new responsibilities to go along with this great new job. He may need to be out of town for meetings, work later hours, etc. That means that I will need to be available for the kids. We are planning for me to stay home as soon as we are out of debt (Dave Ramsey plan). That will be at least a year or more away. I need some ideas for a very flexible job. The town we are living in now is small, and the one we are moving to is about half the size of this one. Something I could do from home would be ideal, but what? It doesn't have to be nursing related. I need to bring in at least $1000-$1500 a month. I thought about cleaning houses maybe, but I don't think that'll be enough. Sorry this is so long. Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

Ok. DH and I are having issues with some stuff, and I need some fresh ideas. DH was promoted to a new position within his company at the beginning of April. This is a blessing. The problem is that the job is in another store about an hour and a half away. I am a school nurse right now, and I am finishing out my contract. It ends June 3. He is currently commuting. Our house has not sold yet, and it has been on the market since October. We cannot afford another house until we sell the current one. I am going to have to find another job over in the new town. I don't know anyone, and there are no openings in my field anywhere to be found. I thought about applying to work prn (as needed) at the hospital. I have been out of that line of work for over 6 years. However, I am the one always responsible for taking the kids to/from school, dr appointments, etc. School nursing made it easy for me to do that since I started doing this my daughter's kindergarten year. The problem with the hospital idea is that DH has lots of new responsibilities to go along with this great new job. He may need to be out of town for meetings, work later hours, etc. That means that I will need to be available for the kids. We are planning for me to stay home as soon as we are out of debt (Dave Ramsey plan). That will be at least a year or more away. I need some ideas for a very flexible job. The town we are living in now is small, and the one we are moving to is about half the size of this one. Something I could do from home would be ideal, but what? It doesn't have to be nursing related. I need to bring in at least $1000-$1500 a month. I thought about cleaning houses maybe, but I don't think that'll be enough. Sorry this is so long. Thanks!

How about visiting nurse or home healthcare? The money and benefits aren't as good as they are with hospital nursing but the hours are strictly daytime and you can almost write your own schedule.

Or work the night shift at the hospital. Everyone hates that shift but my sister did it for years when her kids were little. You could be home to see them off to school and then go to bed. Wake up when they get back, do dinner and homework and then head on off to work. It's a hellish schedule but would only be until you get out of debt. Your only problem would be those nights when your husband has to be out of town. But there's always someone willing to switch their weekend nights with you.

If I had a skill set and a degree that offered me the opportunity to make more money, I would not be cleaning houses. You'll get out of debt much faster if you use your nursing background in your job.

 

[librarygal]

An hour and a half is really not that long of a commute here in the D.C. area. Some people are doing twice that and it takes me over an hour to get to work by bus and subway. Why not stay in your house and keep your job? Gas is expensive but if you have a good job it might not be worth giving it up.

 

[MissNurse]

When I had originally thought about doing the part-time work @ the hospital, the night shift is what I had in mind for the very reason you stated. I am honestly burned out on nursing all together. I will do it if I have to, of course, but I am hoping for something else to work out. DH happened to bring something up a little bit ago that may work. He reminded me of when I used to sell jewelry by doing home parties. It was just for extra money then, but I made a pretty decent haul doing it. It might actually help us get to know some folks over there, too! I have contacted the lady who got me into it back then, and I am waiting for her to call me back.

As far as the whole staying here and continuing to commute thing....no way. DH has commuted for well over 5 years now. He was working about 35 minutes away before he was promoted. He always misses out on stuff with the kids. He's missed so many school functions, ball games, etc. because he works out of town. I know people do it, but we just can't anymore. Thanks for the idea, though!

 

[dawson5]

was 35 minutes a huge commute for him? We had friends that were going to split the difference, 45 minutes for each of them to commute. On paper it was fair, all highway for the two of them and the town that they picked in the middle was nicer than where they were at previously, better schools, etc.

ETA: A good friend of ours got burnt out on it also. She did try a stint at doing medical research for a lawyer--not sure exactly how that worked out. She eventually ended up teaching nursing, granted this involved going back to school. She loves it though. Says she gets a great satisfaction seeing a student "get" something, just watching it click.

 

[scrapquitler]

I don't know anyone, and there are no openings in my field anywhere to be found. I thought about applying to work prn (as needed) at the hospital. I have been out of that line of work for over 6 years.

How flexible would working per diem be, and how many shifts per month would you have to take? I work a per diem job (as a residential assistant in a group home) and as such, I am required to work a certain number of shifts per quarter. I can turn down the calls or work as much as I want, as long as I get 6 shifts per quarter. Maybe doing that would be enough income for you yet provide enough flexibility that you can always be there when the kids need you or when DH is obligated to work. I know that for me, they usually call a week or so ahead of time unless someone calls in sick, and I can usually plan that far ahead of time (I actually sit with DH on Sunday night and we discuss what shifts I would or would not be able to accept in case they call me Monday to schedule for the following week).

Would you be qualified to work as a substitute teacher or a substitute para or cafeteria lady somewhere in your kids school district? That might work out because then you'd be on the same schedule as your children.

 

[EKW]

I have a friend who subbed at the local urgent-care offices when her kids were small. She could pick her days and hours. I don't know if urgent cares still hire subs, but it might offer you an option.

Another idea would be to look at local nursing homes. You might be able to work part-time and choose your hours, depending on the size of the home and whether it's privately or publically owned.

One last idea, you might consider doing daycare and taking only teacher's children. You could probably take just two children and between what you make and tax deductions, make what you need!

 

[phred52]

One idea would be to do telephone triage. When my kids were small I interviewed for and was subsequently offered a job for that .... but for me, I prefer a faster pace. It was out of your home, but seems to me that home phone/cell phone would work IF your children were able to understand and respect that the occasional phone call on the "Bat Phone" meant SILENCE.

 

[dakcp2001]

Chart review for an insurance company, or get certified in medical coding RNS get paid well for this and you can work from home. The faster you get at it the more money you make, so when you start out the money isnt great.

 

[smj2610]

I agree with the insurance company option, we have medical review specialits along with precertification nurses at the insurance company I work for and almost all of them work from home. You could be there for your kids, and clearly make at least 1500 or more a month

 

[sdoll]

When I had originally thought about doing the part-time work @ the hospital, the night shift is what I had in mind for the very reason you stated. I am honestly burned out on nursing all together. I will do it if I have to, of course, but I am hoping for something else to work out. DH happened to bring something up a little bit ago that may work. He reminded me of when I used to sell jewelry by doing home parties. It was just for extra money then, but I made a pretty decent haul doing it. It might actually help us get to know some folks over there, too! I have contacted the lady who got me into it back then, and I am waiting for her to call me back.

Its funny you mentioned selling jewelry. I recently started doing this on top of my full time job when my husbands company filed for bancruptcy. I love it. I first thought I would try it out. Now I can't wait for each party. Last month I earned an extra $2000. I was almost embarrased to try it incase I was horrible at it. I did not want people to know. Now I have set a goal to try and grow my business so I can work this full time. You might want to try it again. I would do anything to make this work so I cn get a better schedule for my family. Good luck balancing life is so hard!!

 

[Mom2JPL]

I know this isn't for everyone, but have you thought about waitressing? I needed to get out of the house and earn a little extra cash for our family and waitressing has worked for us. I work about 20 hours a week (usually less) and bring home about $300 cash per week, not including my paycheck every other week which is an extra $200 per month that I put right into our savings account.

 

[MissNurse]

I know this isn't for everyone, but have you thought about waitressing? I needed to get out of the house and earn a little extra cash for our family and waitressing has worked for us. I work about 20 hours a week (usually less) and bring home about $300 cash per week, not including my paycheck every other week which is an extra $200 per month that I put right into our savings account.

LOL, this would be a great option for some people, but probably not me. I was a waitress during a summer of college. I was terrible at it!!! I don't know why, but I never seemed to get the flow of it. I made ok money, but not great. Ok for a college kid living at home with her parents, anyway. I had a friend that I worked with who actually waited tables after she got her LPN during RN school because she could make more! Shocking!

 

[MissNurse]

Its funny you mentioned selling jewelry. I recently started doing this on top of my full time job when my husbands company filed for bancruptcy. I love it. I first thought I would try it out. Now I can't wait for each party. Last month I earned an extra $2000. I was almost embarrased to try it incase I was horrible at it. I did not want people to know. Now I have set a goal to try and grow my business so I can work this full time. You might want to try it again. I would do anything to make this work so I cn get a better schedule for my family. Good luck balancing life is so hard!!

Good for you! That makes me feel hopeful! I did this back in '07. It lasted for about a year before I got tired of working two jobs. I was just doing it for extra money at the time, but it paid for Christmas that year (a very nice one) and a vacation to Gulf Shores, AL for a week. The company I worked with was a wonderful one-Christian based, nice people, just great to work with. We'll see how it goes! The lady who got me into it before is coming to my house tomorrow to talk about it. Pray!

 

[dfchelbay]

I would stay put until the house sells. You can look for employment in and around there until sold. After it's sold, I would find a halfway point between the two cities to live. Then, DH can drive 45 minutes to work, as can you to either of the towns...the current or the new one. Two options of towns are better for employment.

As far as a job for you, maybe some overflow clerical work might fit your situation. If you like to garden, I would try to do that over the summer for extra money. Elderly as so appreciative of the help and they have a genuine love for their flower beds and pots. I also second the visiting nurse jobs. I met a visiting nurse last year...staying at Disney. Her and her husband stayed in their RV at Fort Wilderness at WDW. They traveled around from one nurse assignment to the next. I know that's not for you, but you can go from one assignment to the next locally too.

 

[disneymom2003]

Sorry I don't have an ideas for you but...........if anyone has a good idea for making $1000.00 to $1500. a month at home I would love to hear it.