Career vs family

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg, PICU,Ped ED.

Any suggestions on how to have a fulfilling nursing career while spending enough time with your children? I have been contemplating returning to an area in nursing which I enjoyed but offered less flexibility. My current job has the best flexibity,location, and pay for my needs but I still long for my specialty area. I have two young children and want to spend most of my time with them. Is it wrong to seek career fulfilment at this point in my life?

your children will not be children forever

they will grow up

can you work something out in your specialty area - maybe they would listen?

your career is also important

Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

Is it possible to go PRN in the speciality area??Your kids will grow unbelievably fast.You might need to step back and prioritize whats you feel is important in your life.You are fortunate enough to have been blessed with the intelligence to be a nurse.If they dont offer PRN,Id suggest waiting just a little longer to do your speciality.You cant turn back time and might regret if you dont spend quality time with your kids.

I agree that you may need that flexibility a bit longer, but only you know what's right for you. If the job you have now starts to make you miserable, changing back to your old specialty would be better than being an unhappy mom. Kids need a HAPPY mom, they might trade some hours in for that. Best of luck, whatever you choose to do.

Specializes in Burn ICU.

There are a couple of girls that work PRN on our unit. My kids are in school now, so the three 12 hour shifts works for me. I have found my cake and can eat it too. Nursing is a wide open field. Good luck.

Just remember on anyones death bed they never have said gee I wish I could have spent more time working.....

Specializes in Burn ICU.

P.S. I, by the way, am a lousy stay at home Mom, so no, I don't think it is wrong to seek career fulfillment. However, that being said, the kids do grow up fast. If you can stick with your more flexible job a few more years, it may be worth it.--H

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Three letters spell it out for me:

PRN.

Specializes in ICU, ER.

Spend the time with your kids - they grow up too fast! A job will be there when you are ready.

Specializes in Rehab/Post Acute.

I'm just getting ready to start nursing school, and at risk of sounding like an idiot, can I ask--- what is PRN? Is it pool? I keep hearing about pool, but I'm not exactly sure what it is. Thanks!!

Specializes in floor to ICU.
Just remember on anyones death bed they never have said gee I wish I could have spent more time working.....

yup. never says that on their tombstone either ;)

Any suggestions on how to have a fulfilling nursing career while spending enough time with your children? I have been contemplating returning to an area in nursing which I enjoyed but offered less flexibility. My current job has the best flexibity,location, and pay for my needs but I still long for my specialty area. I have two young children and want to spend most of my time with them. Is it wrong to seek career fulfilment at this point in my life?

My opinion is -which partly is based on experience- that for both, your children and yourself the main priority is your strength. If you know you need to be able to work for your well-being, I think you should act to have it. I quess working doesn't lock out the possibility to spend even most of your time with your children. The time you'll celebrate with the children can become even better, if you may fulfill your wish and found a satisfaction. I think. I hope :wink2:

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