Being a SAHM after graduation

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I'm a first year nursing student in a traditional BSN program. My husband and I have been married a year & a half and currently have no children. Well... Except the dogs lol. I married young but he's a few years older. When I graduate, he will be almost 30. We're really wanting to start a family. I can't imagine anyone else raising my children since my mother stayed at home with me. I don't think my husband wants to wait long after graduation since we'll have been married 3 years. I don't want to wait either but I'm terrified I'll never be able to be hired when my kids go to school. Suggestions?

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Specializes in CVICU.

You're right. If you wait potentially 6 years to get your first job as a new grad things aren't going to be impossible, but tough. I would consider it wise to work full time for a minimum of 1 year after graduation that is if you plan on having a career in nursing. If you can afford to be a SAHM and that is what you want to do, then you have to make the choice.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Work opposite hours of your husband. No day care needed.

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Work opposite hours of your husband. No day care needed.

Also you can work part time and sometimes even prn. But if you want to work as a nurse, then you will need experience. Being a new grad is tough enough, I cannot imagine being a old grad with no experience.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

If you ever want to work as a nurse, you need to go right out into the job market the second you graduate. If you feel this strongly about it, put off school until after you have your children. Do not put off your first nursing job, that would be career suicide.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Best case scenario is kids now OR first job and a few year's experience under your belt before kids. Many folks do both but outside of extreme circumstances it's far tougher.

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Although that seems like a good idea, then we wouldn't be together. What I really want is to be a stay at home mom. I enjoy summers when I get to be a house wife. I don't really want to put off school since I'm already in but just thinking of waiting potentially 5 years for children sounds terrible. :(

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I guess I probably should've chose a more family oriented career but I enjoy it so much.

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What if you work for six months to one year as a nurse, and then try to start a family? Since pregnancy is around 9 months or so, that would give you enough time to have the experience you need to work per diem.

Per diem work a couple of times a month would bring in some income, provide your family with a little more financial security, keep your nursing skills active and give you something outside of home and family that is yours.

From what I have experienced, being a full stay at home mom can be very isolating. PRN work let me set my own schedule, do some meaningful work around other adults, and was worth keeping.

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If you ever want to work as a nurse, you need to go right out into the job market the second you graduate. If you feel this strongly about it, put off school until after you have your children. Do not put off your first nursing job, that would be career suicide.

Completely agree. Not only that, but why work your ass off to be a nurse only to not even use your degree/license. Seems like such a waste.

Get at least a year of experience. You can always get pregnant during that first year if you want.

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You have two options. Put off school and wait to go to school after you raise your kids or go to school now, graduate and wait 6 years to get a job. I would personally go with the first option. If you want to start a family and be a SAHM either do it now or put off having kids until after you start working as a nurse and gain exp. It makes NO sense to have a nursing license and no job for 6 years. If you wait you'll have to take a refresher course so why waste the and money.

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Working PRN as always an option too. There are many nurses who are moms who have a system that works for them.

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