Pregnancy/Career Advice

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi everyone,

I'm a new grad about to start my first job as a nurse in the PICU working nights. My husband and I want to start a family and are trying to figure out the best time to do that.

A little background, I had a miscarriage in June. Things changed after the miscarriage in a way that was completely surprising to me. Ever since then we really want to get pregnant again. BUT, I'm pretty sure that my first year as a nurse (let alone an ICU nurse) is going to be stressful in itself without being pregnant.

Does anyone have an advice on how to handle trying to conceive and your first year in nursing? Personal experience? The idea of waiting hurts my heart but my brain knows the answer. Help! :o

I really appreciate any advice and help! Thank you!!

-katie

Hi everyone,

I'm a new grad about to start my first job as a nurse in the PICU working nights. My husband and I want to start a family and are trying to figure out the best time to do that.

A little background, I had a miscarriage in June. Things changed after the miscarriage in a way that was completely surprising to me. Ever since then we really want to get pregnant again. BUT, I'm pretty sure that my first year as a nurse (let alone an ICU nurse) is going to be stressful in itself without being pregnant.

Does anyone have an advice on how to handle trying to conceive and your first year in nursing? Personal experience? The idea of waiting hurts my heart but my brain knows the answer. Help! :o

I really appreciate any advice and help! Thank you!!

-katie

Hi Katie!

I started working in the ER when I was six months pregnant. It was stressful but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. If I could do it all over again though I would have waited to have the baby. Its not impossible but it is more difficult just because when you take your maternity leave you forget a lot- now I am going back in 2 weeks and am very nervous!! Plus ideally I would have liked to take 6 months off- but felt a little weird asking for that much time off right after I started so I only took 3 months.. Having a baby is the best thing in the world and should be your only focus when it happens- If I were you- I would start trying in six months.. not too long but long enough to know what you are getting into and for you to know your coworkers enough so they will help you.

Good luck!!

Liz

Hi Liz

Thanks for responding! It's such a strange thing - wanting to get pregnant, deciding to start a family, etc. But, I know that you're right - I want to be good at what I do and I know that the last time I was pregnant all I could focus on was me! lol.

So...we're thinking of starting to try in April/May. That'll give me a good enough time to get somewhat used to my new job and get a full maternity leave when I do have the babe.

Again, thanks for responding and giving good advice. I really appreciate it. Good luck to you with your new baby and your return to work.

Take care,

katie

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