BSN - no experience and lots of children

[kat1822, BSN, RN]

Hi all!
Currently expecting my fourth child in September. I have 3 aged 6 and under. Finished my RN-to-BSN online last year, but I didn't work until one year after finishing my RN degree (my youngest was born one week after graduation, so I stayed home with her until she was a year old). I worked June to Sept last year but I didn't make it off of orientation before having to quit - childcare issues, plus the unit I worked for gave me a bad orientation and the nurse:pt ratio was unsafe for the acuity level (stepdown telemetry 6:1 - even 7:1 for a few weeks!). I felt that my license was on the line and wasn't willing to take that risk basically. I left the hospital on good terms and have since been considered for employment there again, but decided it best to wait due to the pregnancy.

Basically, I'm looking for some advice. My license doesn't need renewal until May of next year, but I'm not sure if the board of nursing is aware of my 4 months of working. Or does orientation not count towards working hours?
Anyway, the baby is due this September and I tend to want to stay home with babies for at least the first year. What can I do to stay in the game? I'll have to do some refresher courses, it seems, before I go back to work.
I have considered post-graduate studies because I tend to be a chronic degree seeker... I have been in college for about 8 or 9 academic years, all told (a BA in anthropology). I like to learn and I'm very detail-oriented. I don't think I would be a good academic teacher, but I do like teaching patients.

Is the thought of working towards an NP too far-fetched? I know this much from the work experience I do have (even before nursing school - I worked as a CNA): I tend strongly towards end of life care, and I connect particularly well with oncology patients. I also appreciate the knowledge and critical thinking in cardiac nursing. Basically, anything that requires a challenge, or anything that involves delicate existential holistic care. I am very detail-oriented and I tend to do things "by the books" - I find it very stressful when I see people cutting corners because I think of all the potential implications for the patient (part of the reason I couldn't really handle the unit I was on as a fresh new grad).
The reason why I'm asking about this is because I really miss the world of nursing. I love raising my children but I know that nursing is my secondary calling and I'm anticipating getting back out there one of these days!

If you made it this far into my post, you deserve a medal or something ?

Looking forward to hearing any thoughts or recommendations!

[Davey Do]

7 hours ago, kat1822 said:

Looking forward to hearing any thoughts

I learned from an early age that  bearing and raising offspring would stand in the way of what I really wanted to do, which was: I want to do whatever I want to do.

So, in 1986, at the age of 29 1/2 years, I got a vasectomy three months before I got married the first time and have never regretted the decision to do so.

[kat1822, BSN, RN]

7 hours ago, Davey Do said:

I learned from an early age that  bearing and raising offspring would stand in the way of what I really wanted to do, which was: I want to do whatever I want to do.

So, in 1986, at the age of 29 1/2 years, I got a vasectomy three months before I got married the first time and have never regretted the decision to do so.

Obviously it's your own prerogative to make that decision for you and your wife, but I must say you're missing out. I didn't really want kids very much when I was younger, but when I fell in love with my husband that changed. They are sweet, loving, and funny little creatures and they teach me a lot about life but mostly about love and what's really important

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

10 minutes ago, kat1822 said:

Obviously it's your own prerogative to make that decision for you and your wife, but I must say you're missing out. I didn't really want kids very much when I was younger, but when I fell in love with my husband that changed. They are sweet, loving, and funny little creatures and they teach me a lot about life but mostly about love and what's really important

Not everyone who doesn’t have/doesn’t want kids are missing out.

[kat1822, BSN, RN]

Just now, JadedCPN said:

Not everyone who doesn’t have/doesn’t want kids are missing out.

Those without children are missing out on the experience of having children (by the nature of those words). Yes, that also means you are missing out on temper tantrums, diaper changes, and inconveniences. But that's your choice.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

16 hours ago, kat1822 said:

My license doesn't need renewal until May of next year, but I'm not sure if the board of nursing is aware of my 4 months of working. Or does orientation not count towards working hours?

The board doesn’t care about that. Do your required CEUs online if necessary, and proceed.
 

There are direct-entry NP programs that might consider you, but you’re going to need considerable daycare to be able to work that program. Decision time. 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope the rest of it is smooth and healthy. Everyone makes tradeoffs in life, and balancing a family and career has a big impact. You are obviously happy with your decisions to be home with your children and that's wonderful. There is a possibility that this will have a short term negative impact on your career opportunities, but you seem aware of that and if it's worth it to you then it's all good. I think that given the limited experience you have, considering a NP degree is fine, but you have very little clinical experience to draw upon for the remainder of that education and in practice. There are programs that take nurses with no experience, so clearly it can be done, but having completed a NP Program myself, I think there are additional challenges in the learning without the practical knowledge behind it. 

I wish you the best of luck. 

[Davey Do]

27 minutes ago, kat1822 said:

 you're missing out

I am 64 years old, retired, have no health apparent problems, own my home in the country, have no bills, am financially comfortable, pursuing my art & other interests, and living the life I that I've always wanted.

Yeah. It's a real bummer, but somebody's gotta do it.

[Nunya, BSN]

Just my opinion but maybe get a staff nurse job for longer than 4 months before you spend thousands of dollars and hours becoming a NP.  We all think we'd like something before we actually DO it....

[MsNickki]

Nursing Student, 2nd career, older student with kids under 6. Obviously, I can’t give you advice as an experienced nurse. I can say I have concerns regarding my education & what goes on in at least one local hospital where I had clinical. Because of that, I’m either moving or holding out post graduation for a nurse graduate position. Most programs are 12-15 months.

 

On the kid part, we’ve got to let each other live as we see fit & hold the judgement. 

 

 

[Emergent, RN]

Once the baby is old enough that you feel comfortable, get a part-time nursing job of any type, with the hours that work for you. See where that leads you. When the job market is brisk is the time to switch specialties. Doors will open for you, you sound like an emotionally balanced person. 

I advise against going gung ho until your youngest is in school,  based on the parenting philosophy you have. Stop having children if you are serious about committing to your nursing career. 

Not everyone needs to have a badass nursing career. Just do something to keep it alive until you are ready to devote more energy to it.

Signed, Mother of 6

[Davey Do]

14 minutes ago, Emergent said:

Stop having children if you are serious about committing to your nursing career. 

I started a thread on this forum titled Nursing and Children. I wanted to discuss and learn the thoughts and feelings behind those who made choices to pursue such an energy draining field and also to become a parent.

The thread was moved to the Breakroom Coffee Lounge.