[MSMCnurse2004]

Hi everyone,
I am a new grad (May 04), and passed boards July 1st. I have 2 kids ages 8 and 3. My son is going into 3rd grade and we just signed a modeling contract for my daughter. I have no desire to start working. I applied at USC and got offered the position as a Trauma nurse and turned it down because I want to stay home with my kids. I feel they need me now.
Am I crazy or do others have the same concerns. I feel I worked so hard to get this degree and now I don't want to use it right now. I will maybe feel different in about 4-6 months. My family thinks I 'm crazy
Please help.
Tara

[Tweety]

I think it's great that you are able to put your family first. Many moms would love to have that option. I went to nursing school with a woman who went through nursing school, got her RN and worked a few weeks and went back to being a SAHM. But you have to admit it's a bit odd. But why worry what people think.

Maybe when things settle down you can find a per diem job and work one day a week just to keep your skills.

[chris_at_lucas_RN]

I'm with Tweety.

Do what you want to do! If you can afford to stay home, more power to you!

Remember that nothing is ever wasted--just in case somebody trots out that old chestnut!

What lucky children you have....

[Energizer Bunny]

hmmmmmmm.....I think I'll keep my mouth shut on this one, for once.

[traumaRUs]

Personally, I think if you realize that your learning curve after 4-6 months is going to be bigger, there will be no problem. When you have a new skill (nursing) it needs to be kept up to date and used. However, if you are lucky enough to be a SAHM - more power to you. You are taking NCLEX right away, right?

[angel337]

i graduated with a couple of women who had the exact same feelings you did. their are many women that can only dream of being a SAHM so i think it's great that you have that option. the only downside is that after a year (depends on the hospital) you are not considered a new grad any more and you may not get a full orientation and you may have to do a refresher course. have you considered part time work? that would at least get you familiar with "real" nursing and you can decide where you want to take your career. whatever you decide, best wishes to you and your family

[nurse educate]

As a mommy, I don't blame you at all. I am struggling with this right now. My daughter is starting pre-k, dances, goes to karate and is starting to have a little social life. I want to be there for all of that. Fortunately, I'm an experienced nurse, and can work per-diem (which is what I do). An ER position is going to be a huge undertaking. Consider your schedule (FT days, lots of classroom?). Probably studying at home?

As a nurse, I would advise you not to wait too long. As another post mentioned, realize that your learning curve will change if you wait. I failed boards the first time, and HAD to wait to work. I than could not get the ob I wanted. I had to settle for home care, and lost virtually all my skills and knowledge. By the time I got into the hospital, I felt very behind.

The good side of your situation is that you will be able to get a job in 6 months (there was NO shortage when I graduated). That is, if you want a ob in 6 months. (the longer you wait, you may end up putting it off even more). Also there are refresher courses available if and when you decide to go back (I didn't have that option either).

You may want to consider a school nurse or a doctors office part time, just to keep your foot in the nursing door. Part time in the hospital is usually not an option as a new grad.

[Dixielee]

I agree with others that if you have the chance to stay home, then do it. But you just spent a lot of time and money getting your education. If you do not stay in the field on some level, you may not even be able to keep a license current. Is there something you can do part time or even just PRN a few shifts per month to keep your skills up and fine tune others. I can't blame you for now wanting to jump in full time with small children. They do need you and they grow up so fast and you may lost opportunities you can never replace. Nursing jobs will always be there when you are ready. I have worked in hospitals that allowed nurses in your situation work 4-6 hour shifts to cover for heavy parts of the shifts, or to relieve for meals and breaks. These can be done while kids are in school or mothers morning out. There may be a doctors office or clinic that may let a few hours per month. You don't have to work too much, but just enough to keep your license current and keep you foot in the door. Good luck with your family, you are in an enviable position. Make the best of it.

[mariedoreen]

Is it more than just wanting to be with the kids? Are you not all that thrilled about working as an RN? If not that, then I would say to enjoy the best of both... start capitalizing on the great flexibility that this profession provides... work the very minimum required to maintain your skills and your license and spend the rest of your time enjoying your children. If you keep you keep your career close at hand you will always have it to turn to instantly should a financial need suddenly arise. Someone once said that the greatest gift a mother could give to her children is to educate herself... You've done that part, now all you have to do is keep it current in case you need it.

Just my .02

[ratchit]

Originally Posted by MSMCnurse2004

Hi everyone,
I am a new grad (May 04), and passed boards July 1st. I have 2 kids ages 8 and 3. My son is going into 3rd grade and we just signed a modeling contract for my daughter. I have no desire to start working. I applied at USC and got offered the position as a Trauma nurse and turned it down because I want to stay home with my kids. I feel they need me now.
Am I crazy or do others have the same concerns. I feel I worked so hard to get this degree and now I don't want to use it right now. I will maybe feel different in about 4-6 months. My family thinks I 'm crazy
Please help.
Tara

There is nothing at all nuts about wanting to stay home with the kids. But they were even younger while you were spending lots of time at school, so I have to wonder what has changed.

You won't have trouble getting a job. Any place you apply to in 6 months, a year, or 2 years will see you as a new grad because you will not have clinical experience.

Is this maybe a reaction to being done with school? You know how people will rally during times of stress and then crash afterwards? I wonder if there's a little bit of that involved too.

If you want to stay home with the kids and can, that is wonderful. Nursing will be here for you when you are ready. But make sure you're taking care of you, too.