Applying for position on M/B but I have a question

[RNinC]

Hi! I am currently working on an application for a Mother/Baby unit. Is it a bad idea to mention my own baby? On one hand, there is nothing quite like personal hands on experience with a baby and breastfeeding (emphasizing lactation in my application because I'm working towards my IBCLC) and it also explains a large gap in my employment history. On the other hand, I don't want them to think I will be unreliable because I have a child. I know that legally they can not discriminate against mothers, but I've always been told it's sort of a don't ask don't tell situation. Any thoughts?

[iPink, BSN, RN]

There are more mothers on my M/B unit than there was on my previous unit, which was a stepdown ICU. I'm not a mother, but I've become so knowledgeable working in my new role as a M/B RN. I've only had two of my patients asked if I had any kids and when I told them no, they were surprised and told me I would make a wonderful mother. ? They loved my interactions with their newborn as well as their older child who was visiting at the time.

With that said, no I wouldn't mention your kids because that's not going to matter in terms of your work ethics, willingness to learn, and your ability to empathize with your patients. I was never asked if I had any kids during my interview because it's irrelevant to how I will function as a nurse. The focus should be about your past experiences, your desire to be a great team member on the unit, and of course mention your LC license. I even mentioned my goal of eventually getting certified in the specialty after I've spent a couple of years on the unit. This showed them my desire to always better myself as a nurse.

Good luck!

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I wouldn't mention your kids on your resume in that context. You are right, personal experience is very helpful but it is not resume-worthy. The majority of nurses have children, so to me it would be like listing the fact that you got an A+ in high school biology- yeah, that's great, but it does not make you stand out to employers and in fact looks a little silly on a professional resume.

Please don't take that the wrong way-no judgment! I actually listed my homebirths and my breastfeeding experience on my first professional resume after graduating CPM school, and I cringe to think about it. Somehow I got the job, but it was definitely IN SPITE of that fact. Despite what we'd all like to think, there is nothing special about being a mom or breastfeeding. It's important, sure, but it's a fairly universal experience.

Now, if you did some peer breastfeeding counseling or other related volunteer work while you were staying home, i would definitely include that in order to lessen the gap in employment and highlight your skills.

When i had an employment gap after my oldest was born, I did make a note of it, like "2004-2005: out of the workforce due to family circumstances," or something to that effect. I've never hidden the fact that I have two special needs kids at home, and I don't believe I have ever experienced job discrimination because of it. But obviously my experience won't be the same for everyone.

[RunBabyRN]

Definitely not on a resume. If it comes up in the interview (they can't ask you point-blank, but if you feel it's a natural part of the conversation, it's okay to say something), make it pertinent. I did my senior preceptorship in mother baby, and I got to care for one of the nurses I'd been working with when she had her baby (I was so excited to get to care for her!), and she was like, "OMG, this changes SO MUCH about how I think about my patients! It will really change how I care for them!" I have seen FANTASTIC nurses in OB that have never been moms, my preceptor included, but, like teachers, having had a child of your own really does affect how you care for those of others.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Do not mention it during yhe interview. After you get hired feel free to talk about your kids.

[adpiRN]

I had a 2 year gap on my résumé from staying home with my son.

I didn't put it on my résumé but they did ask in the interview what I'd been doing.

I said I'd been staying home with my baby.

I didn't use it as a selling point on my nursing skills, but I already had L&D experience.

(I got the job, btw :)

[RNinC]

Thank you all for your input! I was thinking more about mentioning it my cover letter (rather than on my resume), but decided against it! Unfortunately, my application did not make it to the next level. The good news is that I am going to a career fair tomorrow.