Careerpath Confusion: Need Advice!

[buzzalongs]

Hello all,

I'm at a fork in my career and I'm not sure what is best. Looking at switching from clinical to management at some point in my career, but I'm not sure if NOW is the time.

My current situation:

- 5 years of bedside nursing experience

- Currently work as a per-diem float nurse

- Currently do variety of leadership roles at work too. e.g. research, education, quality improvement (QI) etc.

- I'll graduate in 1.5 years with my MSN.

- My husband and I plan to start a family in 2-3 years

My dilemma:

- I was offered a management position with QI (M-F, 9-5ish).

- I'm currently conducting active research for my thesis as part of my MSN (Yikes!)

- My current position as a Staff Nurse allows me flexibility to work as little as 72 hours a month and/or work from home (and participate in a variety of leadership roles).

- My husband and I want to start a family in 2-3 years and I would like to be with our children as much as possible while they're young.

My questions:

A) Is it best to reach for the moon and take the management position? Then after I leave the my nursing career to start a family and come back to work I can say, "Look at what I did in 5 years...10 years ago! I'll do that, and more, now!"

B) Is it best to be content with my "Staff Nurse" title and stick with the flexibility that I have now so that I can possible still work 72 hours and/or work from home while we start a family? Then I can say, "Look what I did when before children and I still kept my foot in the door for these 10 years. I'll do that, and more, now!" Then look for a management/clin-spec position from there.

C) Is it best to be content with my "Staff Nurse" title for now. Then look for a Clinical Nurse Specialist job to work for one year before leaving to start a family. Then I can say, "Look at what I did before children and I was even a clin-spec for some time. I'm back!"

D) Is it the best time (while writing my thesis) to take on a new job in a new direction (management vs clinical)? How easy is it to come back to nursing with management vs clinical experience?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Moved to AN's Nursing Career Advice forum for best chance members responding to query.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Based on my own experience, I'd advise you to finish your thesis first before jumping into a management role. Most management jobs are very do-able for parents of young children. It's easier to arrange childcare for "office hours" than clinical shifts. Managers are exempt employees, so your work schedule will be more flexible - even though your actual "hourly" salary will undoubtedly be lower.

Make sure you are provided with adequate training and orientation to prepare you for the entirely new management skill set you'll need. Go for it!