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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!
On 6/1/2021 at 9:03 PM, NurseSt2021 said:First of all!! Much Respect for you! It’s very hard being a mom of young children and completing a BSN! Great for you! You can do anything your mind wants you to!
Thanks so much! I didn't mention before, but I finished my RN program one week before I gave birth to my third. I had high blood pressure at the end (go figure) and was hospitalized the night before our cumulative final. I negotiated with my doc to get out of a 24 hr urine screen so that I could go take it... she was very gracious but gave me strict instructions as to when I needed to seek care. Love my doc... she's delivering this one too. Anyway I passed my NCLEX when baby girl was 3 months old. What a whirlwind. My husband is so supportive and wonderful, couldn't have done any of it without him.
On 6/3/2021 at 10:32 AM, Tacocat said:What sort of support system do you have? Is there anyone available to help watch your kids?
At this point all I have is my husband. Maybe my aunt on occasion. My mom told me she won't babysit me or my sister's kids "just" so we could go to work. My in-laws live in England so that's obviously not a thing. Daycare is not an option for us, just due to our personal preferences.
Alright so I'm a genius. It struck me like a ton of bricks tonight as I was pining to be back in the action of the medical world. I specifically enjoy hospital nursing the most. What if I volunteered? Is that even a thing - RN volunteer at the hospital?
This option seems to fulfill many of my criteria: Keeping me mainly at home, keeping me on my feet and motivated towards something (right now this pregnancy seems like it's going to drag into the abyss forever), keeping my knowledge and skills up, looks good on my resume for a long non-working lull.
I'm sure I'm overlooking something though. ?
The volunteers in my hospital only deliver mail and transport discharged patients. I don't think that any hospitals would have the insurance coverage for a volunteer to take on any nurse-like responsibilities. But it would show a desire to remain active in hospital environment. Good luck with your plans.
On 5/30/2021 at 3:42 PM, Hannahbanana said:you’re going to need considerable daycare to be able to work that program. Decision time.
Yes, correct!
Consider gaining a few years of experience before the NP Program, it will serve you well. After having this child, maybe go work part time ( 2 shifts a week?). With 4 children, your best bet is at home sitter. I have had several responses from NP students emphasizing needing at least 5 years of bedside experience.
Good luck!
On 6/4/2021 at 9:45 PM, kat1822 said:What if I volunteered
That will not count as RN experience.
On 6/1/2021 at 12:39 AM, Emergent said:I worked in a nursing home as my first job, and when my youngest was 16 months old my husband died of cancer. I weaned my baby right before her second birthday and started picking up a shift or two a week at that nursing home.
Then, the nursing home closed. For about a year I did one or two shifts a week for a home care company taking care of a couple of different trach patients.
Then the job market heated up and I was able to get a two-day a week swing shift acute care job. That got me into the door of hospital nursing without totally draining my time with my family.
That led to other opportunities and eventually I gravitated towards ER nursing. I have had a rich and varied career and I'm a pretty good nurse after all that.
This! I'm well-rounded in nursing as a side effect of being a mom and working too. Also, I worked night shifts so I could be home during the day even when they were old enough to go to school. That way, I was working while they were sleeping and still able to be home and be mom during their waking hours. Yes, it was tiring and I was exhausted but looking back it was well worth it and I don't regret any of it.
Hi! I saw this thread and I just had to comment because we sound quite a bit alike.
I am a mama of eight (yeah…I am crazy) and I’ll graduate with my ADN in December. I’m heading straight into the BSN program this fall with my goal to eventually getting my MSN because I want to be a CNM. This is also my second degree and I’m starting off a little later than most, but my kids range in ages from 15-3.
I decided during nursing school that my main priority right now is being able to be there for my children. I know the mama guilt was awful when I was working full time as a CNA. My compromise is going to be working part time (two 12 hour shifts) per week, work on my degree, and I’ll still be able to be there for most of my children’s things. I actually just picked up an externship working PRN while in school on the unit I hope to transition to (CIMU).
Another nurse friend I have actually works PRN/limbo for the same reasons. I was told there was no way a new grad or new nurse can get a PT/PRN position, and I suppose that’s true in some locations/markets. Luckily here it seems like they would rather hire PT over full.
I don’t think you’d regret putting your kids first. Nursing will always be here. I too have consider FNP school as I found a love for cardiac nursing- I have time. There is nothing wrong with having goals or having to take the scenic route. ?
On 6/4/2021 at 10:45 PM, kat1822 said:Alright so I'm a genius. It struck me like a ton of bricks tonight as I was pining to be back in the action of the medical world. I specifically enjoy hospital nursing the most. What if I volunteered? Is that even a thing - RN volunteer at the hospital?
This option seems to fulfill many of my criteria: Keeping me mainly at home, keeping me on my feet and motivated towards something (right now this pregnancy seems like it's going to drag into the abyss forever), keeping my knowledge and skills up, looks good on my resume for a long non-working lull.
I'm sure I'm overlooking something though. ?
I can't imagine this is a thing. You wouldn't be covered under their Liability Insurance as a non-employee. As a non-employee you will likely not have access to necessary tools, like the EMAR or Pyxis/Omni, mostly due to legal concerns about non-staff having access to drugs and medical records.
Even a "volunteer" position will require some schedule-shuffling. It won't look good anywhere if you volunteer and have to call out or cancel your shifts -- places absolutely reserve the right to terminate volunteers, and it would be detrimental to a future employment application in that health system.
Why is volunteering different than working per diem?
7 hours ago, Tacocat said:I can't imagine this is a thing. You wouldn't be covered under their Liability Insurance as a non-employee. As a non-employee you will likely not have access to necessary tools, like the EMAR or Pyxis/Omni, mostly due to legal concerns about non-staff having access to drugs and medical records.
Even a "volunteer" position will require some schedule-shuffling. It won't look good anywhere if you volunteer and have to call out or cancel your shifts -- places absolutely reserve the right to terminate volunteers, and it would be detrimental to a future employment application in that health system.
Why is volunteering different than working per diem?
My local hospital refused to allow my friend (retired nursing professor) and I volunteer to perform nursing research for them.
17 hours ago, subee said:My local hospital refused to allow my friend (retired nursing professor) and I volunteer to perform nursing research for them.
Exactly. And you had experience and skills to offer.
Volunteering at a hospital in general may not be a terrible idea, but it likely won't be "nursing" care. If you can keep the commitment, you may be able to get a good reference that can help you get a job.
NurseSt2021
12 Posts
First of all!! Much Respect for you! It’s very hard being a mom of young children and completing a BSN! Great for you! You can do anything your mind wants you to!