Transitions... From SAHM to SAHM and full time nurse!

Well along with adjusting to a new place to live, new routines, new schools and new friends, we are adjusting to mommy working. 

I had no plans of going back to work anytime soon, and sometimes I joked that I would never go back to work, but I had a change of heart somewhere along our two week transition from Missouri to Alaska. I had a dream one night about working and after that I just couldn't seem to get the idea out of my head. I decided I would look into getting an Alaska nursing license for future use, then decided to poke around to see what jobs were available. Well one thing lead to another and I had a few job offers within a matter of weeks. My plan to go part-time turned into full time when I thought about there only being one day difference, 2 days or 3 days. 

After weighing my options between a few jobs I decide to go with a job at Providence Hospital, which has the best reputation in Alaska, and on there Mother-baby unit. I enjoy maternal health but I wasn't sure if I wanted the stress of labor and delivery. I also figured I could use my experience and knowledge in this area. I mean between my nursing knowledge and having 4 kids of my own I'm practically a pro at this stuff;) 

I love this area though! I get to spend time educating moms, helping them feel better so they can go home do this tough job, and holding sweet babies. I am working night shift so sometimes the nights get slow and long, but overall it has been a great place to work.

I do however drink more caffeine than ever before and it need to buy stock in Rockstar. Most days I get 2 hours of sleep before a night shift. If I work 2-3 nights in a row I have a sitter watch the boys so I can get about 5-6 hours of sleep in between shifts. So far I haven't felt too exhausted with the way my sleep schedule is. I am a zombie in the mornings when I get off and I tend to let the boys watch an hour of toons while I lay on the couch before I pound a few cups of coffe. Oh and my coffee shack down the street knows me well. If it's a nice day and I have to work that night I take the boys to the park in the afternoon which means a stop before the park and after for my caffeine fix.

I have begun to take advantage of the time I have with the boys because it does seem to be limited these days. Three 12 hour shifts turns into a lot more time away from the family than I expected. Between sleep, housework, taxiing the boys around town and cooking meals, I feel like our days fly by. I miss our evenings at home as a family and I really miss Rocky. It has been hard lately being gone so much from him and the boys and has made me second guess going back to work. I really have enjoyed this adult time and feeling like there is more to my life. But then I think I was so happy just as a SAHM and that was really I needed, all 5 of my boys are my world. I feel like I am happier and a nicer mom with work, but does the benefits of my working outweigh the time away from my family. Some days I'm not sure. I am taking it one day at a time. If I get to a point where I feel like it is too much for a our family then I'll take step back and go PRN or not at all. I mean don't get me wrong the money is nice to have when you have been a one income household for 3 years, but there is way more important things in life. My family is all that matters, so if we have to go without eating out or a luxury then no big deal. We will always have each other and I want what is best for my boys. But for now we seem to be adjusting well and I will continue drinking my coffee and energy drinks to keep up with this busy life.