Pregnancy: best during nursing school or as a new hire?

[science in flowers]

Is it better to get pregnant/have your first newborn during nursing school or right after, as a new hire? What is less stressful? I was thinking having a child during nursing school would be less stressful, as there might be more time for the child..but then again, nursing school is all about proving yourself so who knows?

Any insight would be great...

Thanks!

[ThePeony]

I got pregnant right when I was graduating from nursing school. This of course was when nursing jobs were everywhere, I had a job already lined up. I passed my boards, and worked until 2 weeks before she was born. I did end up not going back to that job when my unpaid maternity leave was up, the schedule I had been promised vanished so I took a year off and then started working casually in another specialty. Several children later, I still work part time, but have build a niche for myself in my area so it has worked out well.

We had multiple pregnancies in my nursing program, 2 gave birth during the school year, they dropped out during the summer. Another 3 timed it so when we graduated, they were weeks away from giving birth. We had 2 who timed it to give birth during the summer break with plans to return, they did not. The ones who did give birth during the school year were given no special treatment, they were back in class within days, and back to 12 hour clinicals, they were not given extra time to pump during the school day or at clinicals. It was exhausting for them, I would not recommend it.

[sassy_cassie]

I am pregnant and a nurse. I had my kids after I was done with school. Physically I can no longer do my job. I ended up quiting my parttime job and only do prn 4 or 8 hour shifts at my other job. The hospital I was working at was very unsupportive of pregnant nurses. Frequently they will schedule 2 pregnant in third trimester nurses and an aid on lift restriction for the only staff on my unit with several heavy transfer patients. I do not qualify for FMLA, so my maternity leave would be 6 weeks unpaid after a csection. I was informed by HR if I am not cleared to work at that time then I will be fired. My other job is very supportive. They donot require me to transfer heavy patients and I can take as long off as I want.

Nursing school is time consuming and mentally challanging, but physically easier. Also with more dependents you would likely quallify for more financial aid.