Career advice for a pregnant RN

[ExpatHopeful, LPN, LVN]

I would really appreciate any advice or input people could give me on my situation. I've been working on a med-surg floor for 9 months now in my first RN position. I work nights and love my job, my co-workers, and the shift. I'm also 4 months pregnant and due in January. I recently told my boss and discussed my options with her and while I don't have to make any decisions now I'm thinking a lot about my post-birth work options.

Basically my choices are A) quit entirely and stay at home B) after maternity leave, transition to a per diem float position in the same hospital and work anywhere from once a month to twice a week, either days or nights C) come back full time nights on my floor after my 3-4 month maternity leave. Luckily, money is not an issue for us, my concerns are balancing my family/work life and keeping up my investment in my nursing career. Option A would be fabulous from a baby and family perspective, but I worry that one year full time in nursing wouldn't be enough to reenter the workforce a few years down the road. B might be the best compromise, but it would be hard to work with different co-workers on new floors all the time. C would be great career wise, but we'd have to do some form of child care, my husband (who works 60+ hours a week) would have to pick up a lot of slack and I worry I would miss out on my new baby's life and we'd hardly ever get to spend time together as a family.

Anyone have experiences to share or advice?

[erinp88]

Stay home! Sorry, I was new RN and wounded up pregnant unexpectedly. I tried until I was ~6 months pregnant landing a stable job in a clinical setting. No one wants to hire a preggo nurse. I was working per diem with my current company in an Intake (clerical) position and was not going to be able to return to that due inconsistent scheduling and day care issues.

Miraculously about 2 months after I had the baby my company contacted me with a 2/day a week job. My husband and I were delighted and thought the situation would be perfect. Approximately 50% of my pay goes to covering day care cost. It's a constant battle not to mention a HORRENDOUS disruption if you'd like to have any routine at home. If money isn't an issue, maybe you can afford to have someone come into your home - that may be easier. But still, I have found no one takes as good as care as my baby as I do. They don't sleep right, they don't eat right and it's just plan frustrating.

So sorry I can't put too much emphasis on your clinical portion, but I can definitely comment on the new mom portion and I am constantly battling to keep my son on a consistent schedule.