NP life and family question

[VTBabyNurse]

Hi NP's :)

I am an RN who is considering attending a master's program to be a Women's Health NP. I have worked as a nurse on mother/baby for two years and lately I have felt like I need a more challenging job. A friend told me about the program, and the deadline to apply was quickly approaching, so I applied and took the MAT. Now I wait to see if I am accepted or not.

Here is my question: Prior to this decision to apply for grad school I was making plans to try to start a family this year. If I go to school I'll be waiting another two years to have kids. I wonder how children fit into your career as an NP? As it is now, I work three days a week, but as an NP I would probably work 5. How does this work with you and your family?

Another question: When you become a mother, will it matter as much to you that your job isn't quite so challenging if you are going to be taking on the new challenge of motherhood?

When I mentioned my thoughts to my hubby, he was excited that I would make more money as an NP and thus be able to provide more for our kids. However, I don't believe in taking a new job just because of money because I beleive in being passionate about what you do. (He's an engineer, so it's hard for him to understand a nurse's perspective that money isn't everything) Plus I believe kids would benefit more from the time you can give them versus what kids of stuff you can give them. I have an interest in the field, but I am also interested in other units as an RN too.

I would appreciate any input. I don't want to take this decision lightly. Thanks for reading this post:nurse:

[carachel2]

Not an NP yet, but I've met LOTS of NP's so far in clinical who work part-time. I have no desire EVER to work full-time. It might take longer to find the right fit, but I know it is possible. I am fully ready to put in a "dread year" and work full-time, but after that no way! My dh is an engineer too so my going back to school is more of a back up plan for his volatile career (engineers in manufacturing always get hit first and we've been through a few layoffs) so I can step up when and if necessary to be the breadwinner and have a somewhat decent salary.

My advice is to never work full-time so he won't ever get used to the $$ . We have always lived on his income and used mine as savings and extra vacation/home project/savings $$.

When you become a mother, will it matter as much to you that your job isn't quite so challenging if you are going to be taking on the new challenge of motherhood?

I have found that the more I hear the siren call of summers home with my daughter, attending plays at school and being there when she gets out of school in the afternoon, my career matters less and less. Exciting and challenging flew out the window when I became a parent and flexible and steady became WAY more important. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but the last thing you want during a busy week with your child or after being up half the night is to have to face a full day of craziness at work.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm an APN (CNS) and work very much full-time and am taking on a second job. However, I am nearing 50 and my kids are adults and gone. I work with an NP with 4 young children and she works three days per week in our practice. It is possible to do part-time, you just have to look.

Good luck to both of you.

[dhigbee]

I work part-time, which works out wonderfully, since I'm also a musician, and have evening music jobs.

My one recommendation: Finish your NP, and work for a year or 2 as a NP prior to starting your family. Starting as a new NP can be quite challenging and stressful (although in a good way). It could be really difficult to combine this with pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a baby.

Here's hoping you hear good news regarding your application!

Dana

[bebeleche]

I work FT as as FNP and have a 2 YO and 1 one the way. Unfortunately, I don't have the option to work PT b/c I am the breadwinner of the family. I'll tell you, it's challenging, but life is no matter what, and you just make your situation work. Childcare is expensive and I do miss my daughter, but we just really enjoy our mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays together.

I also enjoy my work and find it satisfying. My employer lets me be flexible when I need to be. My daughter doesn't feel neglected. She enjoys her time at school. And kids are adapatable. I wish I could say my husband helps a lot, but honestly I do most of the domestic work as well. If you have a helpful partner, you'll be better off. But honestly- many, many moms work FT and just find a balance. If that's your desire, you'll make it work for you and your family too.

Ironically, I have considered trying to get a job at a hospital as an L&D RN, for the 3 twelve hr shifts (daycare savings,) but also my next career move is to go to CNM school and I want the experience. I live in Maine and RNs here make almost as much $ as NPs.