Designing Work-Life Balance for Nurses & CRNAs: The Best Shift Schedules for Moms
One of the biggest questions in healthcare isn’t just where you work, it’s when. Nursing and advanced practice roles can look very different depending on your schedule, and that schedule often determines how much freedom you have outside the hospital or clinic.
As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and mom, I’ve worked different schedules: 3x12s (7-7, 9-9, 11-11), 4 x10s, 5x8s, 16hr shifts, 7on/7 off and 24-hour OB call. I’ve also been an ICU RN and even dipped into NP school before switching paths (see why I dropped out of NP school here). What I’ve learned is simple: there’s no “perfect” schedule. There’s only the schedule that works for your season of life.
For me right now, with a little one at home, the 11–11 shift is a lifesaver. But I know plenty of RNs, NPs, and CRNAs who thrive on 7–3s or 24 hr call. The beauty of nursing and anesthesia is that we have choices to design a life we love.
W2 vs 1099 in Healthcare
Before breaking down shifts, it’s worth talking about employment models. Most nurses are familiar with W2 positions (traditional employee jobs with benefits), but advanced roles like CRNAs and some NPs also have opportunities to work 1099 (independent contractor) positions.
W2 Jobs (RNs, NPs, CRNAs)
Definition: Traditional employee role. Paid on payroll with benefits.
Pros:
Health insurance, PTO, retirement matching
Predictable paychecks and taxes handled
Stability—easier to plan around
Cons:
Limited say over scheduling
PTO requests can be denied
Bound to group or hospital needs
1099 Jobs (Mostly CRNAs, some NPs)
Definition: Independent contractor role (I work for MY business!). Paid directly, responsible for taxes/benefits.
Pros:
Choose your shifts, contracts, and workload
Higher hourly/daily pay rates
More autonomy and scheduling freedom
Cons:
No employer-sponsored benefits
Requires tax/business planning
Income may vary month to month
**Bottom line: W2 = stability, 1099 = flexibility. For many, the choice depends on your stage of life. New grads often start W2 for security, while seasoned providers (especially parents) may lean into 1099 for lifestyle freedom.
Common Nursing & CRNA Shift Schedules
Here’s a breakdown of the most common healthcare schedules across nursing and advanced practice and who they work best for.
5x8s: usually 7a-3P(Clinic or Hospital)
Pros: Consistent Monday–Friday routine; evenings and weekends free
Cons: Less flexibility for travel; PTO needed for time off
Best for: NPs in clinic settings; RNs or CRNAs who want a steady routine
4x10s: 7a-5p
Pros: Only four workdays per week; three-day weekends built in
Cons: Longer daily hours; late evenings if you start at 7 a.m.
Best for: Providers wanting a balance between routine and longer breaks
3x12s: 7a-7p, 9a-9p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a + NIGHT SHIFT: 7P-7A
Pros: Four full days off; efficient work-life balance; popular among hospital nurses
Cons: Long, exhausting workdays; missed time with family on shift days
Best for: RNs in acute care; CRNAs who want more travel/family days; moms who like batching workdays
**11–11 Shifts (Mostly CRNAs)
Pros: Mornings free for family, side hustles, or errands; avoids early mornings
Cons: Misses bedtime (though if kids sleep early, you may not miss much)
Best for: Moms with young kids; CRNAs balancing clinical and consulting work
24-Hour Call (OB CRNAs)
Pros: High pay; fewer total shifts per month
Cons: Intense fatigue; unpredictable nights; recovery needed
Best for: Providers maximizing income while consolidating shifts
Week-On / Week-Off (Common for Locums)
Pros: Extended time off; great for travel or recovery
Cons: Long stretches away from family when working
Best for: Locum CRNAs and NPs; adventurous families who want long breaks
PRN / Per Diem
Pros: Ultimate flexibility; pick up shifts when you want
Cons: No guaranteed hours; fewer benefits
Best for: RNs supplementing income; CRNAs or NPs who want control of their schedule
Why I *like (not Love) 11–11s Right Now
My son sleeps 7 p.m. to ~8 a.m. every day. If I work 7–7s, I don’t see him at all, and that’s just not okay with my mama heart. With 11a–11p, I get long mornings together. I can:
Make breakfast, play, and enjoy slow mornings with him
Knock out Aspire Collective and Legal Consulting work before heading to the OR
Head to work knowing he’ll have been asleep several hours by the time I finish my shift
It’s not perfect. I miss dinner and bedtime (including mine, because days I’m not working I’m in bed by 9pm haha) but for this season of life (and this locum contract!) it works.
Why 3x12s Will Always Have My Heart
I also love the 3x12 model. As an RN in the ICU, that was the sweet spot: three intense days followed by four full days off. As a CRNA, if I can’t do 24hr shifts, it’s still one of my favorites.
Those four days mean more time with family, room to travel, and space to recover. For moms especially, it allows us to be “all in” on workdays and “all in” on home days without feeling like we’re constantly stretched thin.
Designing a Career That Fits Your Life
At the end of the day, nursing and anesthesia aren’t just about clinical skills. It’s about building a career that supports your life outside of work. Schedules are one of the most powerful levers you have for creating balance, preventing burnout, and actually enjoying the life you’re working so hard to build.
RNs may thrive on 3x12s in the ICU, stacking shifts to have four days off in a row, or working PRN for ultimate flexibility. Many bedside nurses also explore travel nursing, where week-on/week-off contracts can give big breaks between assignments.
NPs often prefer clinic schedules like 5x8s or 4x10s, which provide consistent hours and predictable routines. But even within that structure, part-time or job-share models are becoming more common, opening space for family or side hustles.
CRNAs have perhaps the widest variety of scheduling options: from outpatient 7–3s to 11–11s, 24-hour OB call, or locum contracts that allow for weeks off at a time. The ability to choose between W2 stability and 1099 flexibility makes it possible to pivot as life changes.
And with all that PTO (7-8 WEEKS on average), you can’t beat the work life balance!
As a mom, I’ve learned that no schedule is forever. What works when your kids are infants may not work when they’re in school, and what fits your lifestyle as a new grad may feel limiting after a few years. The key is knowing you can change it. You’re not locked in.
This career gives you options which is something many healthcare providers in other roles don’t have. You can step back for a season to focus on family, ramp up with locums to save for a big goal, or settle into a steady clinic routine when you crave predictability.
And here’s the truth: your schedule is more than just hours on a clock. It’s how you show up for your family, your health, your passions, and yourself. Choosing the right schedule is choosing the life you want to live.
So whether you’re an RN stacking 3x12s, an NP running a steady 4x10 clinic schedule, or a CRNA designing your own 1099 locum path, remember this: you’re not just working shifts, you’re building a life you love.
