Any thoughts and words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

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I just graduated from nursing school in December. I've always wanted to be a nurse. However, I am a single parent which makes things a little more challenging as far as hospital hours go.

Currently, I work a job that requires no weekends or holidays and I am able to get my little one when school lets out every day.

I'd love to work as a nurse - but to do so will mean that I will have to work nights, weekends and holidays. Where I don't have to do that now. Plus, I'll take a $10,000 pay cut, as well.

I'm not wanting anyone to try to make my decision for me - but I'd like input on what you would do if you were me. Do you think I should stay where there is better pay and better hours, or go to somewhere that I'd really enjoy and make a difference in people's lives.

Thanks,

Emily:D

Me again!

Thanks for your input everyone. I would just like to say, too, that I would be no less proud of being a CNA an LPN or an RN - we all work caring for our patients and each have unique things we bring to our nursing care. :kiss

I've prayed and prayed about this dilemma. Since I don't have a crystal ball to know whether or not I will make the right choice by taking or turning down the nursing position, it's nice to hear from those of you who have children and have been there.

It's a tough decision, and I very much respect the opinions expressed by the kind people on this board.

Thanks guys,

Emily :)

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Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

Emily,

Here's how you know when you make the right decision. If you feel uncomfortable in any way with it, then it probably is NOT the right one, but if you feel good about it, then it probably is the right one.

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I would choose spending time with my child over nursing. Night shift is not easy and you may spend alot of time napping. My most important role is as a mother and nursing will not overide that. You are a very fortunate person to have a great job and a nursing degree as well. Well done.

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Me once again,

I sure appreciate the input I am getting from you guys. I have always felt that being a mother does come first. Even though single, I managed to have no day care for my child until she was 3-1/2, and then only 20 hours a week from 3-1/2-5. I have been so blessed and so fortunate. I guess I have kind of felt that it would be selfish to stay where I'm and not to start into nursing right now. I think I have overlooked to a degree the importance of being at home with my little one in a well-rested state is. I will let you all know when I make my final decision - but right now I am leaning towards staying where I'm at and making a change when the time feels more "right." I've been so uncomfortable with this choice that the timing just probably isn't right.

Thanks guys,

Emily ;)

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Specializes in MedSurg, LTC.

My wife did the same thing. She quit her decent pay/long commute gov't job fairly close to retirement and works local CNA/HHA and she's much much happier. We're fairly young empty nesters though

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Dear Nurse2Be,

I feel your pain! I quit a higher paying job to take a lower paying one but with different trade-offs.

I was in the military as is my husband, who is also a nurse. The reasons are too many and detailed to recount here but the most important reason was my son. He could not join Boy Scouts, play Little League, etc and some days spent up to 13 hours away from home. I hated that aspected of my job and had a chance to get out. After many hours of beating myself against a wall ;) I made my choice and left the military.

Do I regret it?? Only when I think of the $$ which is not often. I took a 50% pay cut, lost benefits to die for, and gave up a great retirement plan.

What I gained was more time for my son. He is now in Scouts and has achieved Star Class in less than 2 years, takes guitar lessons at which he is very talented, and tells me almost daily that he is glad that I have more time for him. He just turned 12 and even though he is getting more independent he still wants me around and thinks that I am a "cool Mom even when I get on the me!" I would not trade being a Mom for all the $$$ that I gave up.

My own mother is a nurse and worked almost the entire time I lived with her. Many times when I needed her she was at work and I had to stand in line behind everyone else who needed her. As a child I did not understand that she had an important job (charge nurse in an ER) all I knew was that I lived (so it seemed) at the bottom of the totem pole. I swore to myself many times as a child that if I was lucky enought to have a child when I grew up that I would not let my job, whatever it was, interfere with raising my child and being there. When my son got old enough to want to do things like Scouting, guitar, etc and to resent my job requirements that prevented him from being able to be with me, I left.

Nursing can wait. Keep the job that you have, read journals, visit nursing web sites, attend CMEs especially ones that review basic nursing skills and any other ones that are in an area that interest you. Your child will grow up fast and then you will have time for the nursing job you want (maybe pay will be better then also :roll !!

You have only one chance to be a positive role model and parent to your child. In my opinion the chance to be a present parent far outweighs any other consideration.

I will pray for you and hope that whatever decision that you make will be the right one for you.

Ginger

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I'm assuming that you had to spend time away from you child to get your BSN?

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