Family planning vs. Career planning

[ruralgirl08]

Hi, I am 27yrs old have been an RN for close to 2yrs now, been married for aprox. the same amount of time. I work in a m/s area. I have been contemplating both changing nursing areas and having my first baby this coming year. I know it's alot of change at the same time, but I find meeting my career goals and my personal family goals conflicting with each other. I am starting a nursing specialty certificate in January which will take about 9 months to complete, which may help me get into the area I want to b/c it has a clinical component. But after that I may have to take mat leave, or they may not want to hire a pregnant person at that time, b/c I will be going to mat leave.

The reason I am thinking I need to do this education piece now, is b/ctrying to do part-time education with a baby at home would be hard. So far my career plans have not happened the way I would have liked them to. In the grand scheme of things, whats more important, personal family goals or career goals?

[Jules A, MSN]

I think that career goals should be wrapped up as best as possible before starting a family. Not that career is more important just that it is critical to be able to do a job that you enjoy and will support the increased expenses you will face as a Mom. Kudos to you for actually planning this!!

[itsmejuli]

In the grand scheme of things, whats more important, personal family goals or career goals?

For me family goals have always taken top priority over career goals. Its only now at the age of 47 that I am pursuing my nursing career. I am finally at a point in my life where I can focus solely on me and not have to worry about how my career choices are going to affect my family.

Some women think they can have it all, the perfect family and a great career. Its been my experience that this dream is next to near impossible even with the help of a supporting husband/partner. There's never enough time in the day to meet the demands of everyone as well as time for oneself.

Family will give you far more satisfaction and happiness than a career ever will.

[ruralgirl08]

Thanks for the feedback, I think you are both right. I also agree that the family/career balance, is difficult if not impossible to achieve. I am currently not in a dream job, but do have a full-time, which was the most important to me in the beginning. I am thinking about putting off this further education, until after I start a family. Or delay starting a family for a few more months so that I can complete it. But also feel that I need a break school (even though I like being a student), I have taken a lot of continuing education courses since graduation. The idea of writing a term paper right now is a big turn off.

I am worried though that it is possible that my career goals may completely change, after having a baby, so jumping into this new program may not be worth it in the end. I am still thinking about it though, but so far I haven't been able to bring myself to official withdraw from the program. Thanks for your responses.