Have to make a decision but I'm afraid

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'll try to make this as concise as I can. I worked as an LPN for nearly 10 years before going back to school 2 years ago and completing an ADN bridge program. I was pregnant with my third (and what we decided to be the last) during my final semester. I graduated and ultimately landed a job in a hospital on a busy Med Surg unit. While I can't say I'm thrilled with my job I am thriving.

Recently we we found out we are unexpectedly pregnant with our 4th. This pregnancy has mentally and physically knocked me down. At this point I work 1 night shift a week and can barely do that. For the last 2 years I've gotten used to only 2-3 hours sleep both before and after my shift due to not having a FT sitter. It was already starting to catch up to me, but now I can hardly function. I'm so scared of making an error at work and harming a patient that the anxiety is overwhelming. We have no family here so it's just us. To add to all this I was accepted into a RN-BSN program that starts next month and is 15 months long. I want to finish that program but at the same time, I know working nights is no longer an option. My husband has encouraged me to stay home for a while, and just focus on finishing school and go from there or continue to be a SAHM.

I'm torn. My kids come first, of course. However I'm worried that if I'm out too long I will have a difficult time getting an acute care job again and my BSN will not be helpful. Just looking for insight or feedback especially from someone who's been there. Thanks for reading all this :).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would take the time off ....especially if your husband is able to comfortably support the family. Lots of nurses take time off while their kids are young and are able to return. And you have a good, solid block of nursing experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you put school off for a while, you can stay home and enjoy your family. Does your BSN program have externships? You will again be a fresh new grad when you're done, and if you are able to do externships with hospitals in your area, it could open up the door for future employment.

I would do almost anything to be able to just stay home while my kids are little. I miss so much, so my opinion is totally biased.

What about doing bare bones per diem? One shift a month might be an option also.

Good luck and congrats on baby #4!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

You don't say how long you have worked as an RN.

If you've had at least a year of acute care experience then I'd say it's a no brainer to quit working while doing your BSN... if not I'd look at going PRN and seeing if there are any weekend day shifts you can pick up.

A lot of places love to hire RN's that have at least one year acute care experience, but depending on your areas market which (experience vs BSN) carries more weight.

I think that taking a while off won't hurt you.. I've had gaps in my career to have children and it has never been an issue when interviewing and getting a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you put school off for a while, you can stay home and enjoy your family. Does your BSN program have externships? You will again be a fresh new grad when you're done, and if you are able to do externships with hospitals in your area, it could open up the door for future employment.

I would do almost anything to be able to just stay home while my kids are little. I miss so much, so my opinion is totally biased.

What about doing bare bones per diem? One shift a month might be an option also.

Good luck and congrats on baby #4!

Thanks so much for your perspective and well wishes. I do feel fortunate to be able to have time with my kiddos especially while they're young. My BSN program is 100% online so no externship. Right now I'm down to per diem, but where I work it's a weekly shift commitment. I think it might be a good idea to just maintain contacts with nurses and nurse managers I'm friendly with. It might be of help in the future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You don't say how long you have worked as an RN.

If you've had at least a year of acute care experience then I'd say it's a no brainer to quit working while doing your BSN... if not I'd look at going PRN and seeing if there are any weekend day shifts you can pick up.

A lot of places love to hire RN's that have at least one year acute care experience, but depending on your areas market which (experience vs BSN) carries more weight.

I think that taking a while off won't hurt you.. I've had gaps in my career to have children and it has never been an issue when interviewing and getting a job.

I've worked 2 years as an RN, and specifically 18 months on the acute general Med Surg unit. I've discovered I'm pretty much stuck on my unit w/o a BSN anyway. I'm encouraged that, at least in your case, taking the time off didn't hurt you professionally. I'm thinking that I can use at least the entire time I'm working on my BSN to be completely off work. After that 15 months I'll reevaluate my circumstances and might do something PRN that will be very flexible, but also allow me to keep a foot in the door so to speak. Just trying to take it day by day now, because I get overwhelmed worrying about all the what ifs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I've worked 2 years as an RN, and specifically 18 months on the acute general Med Surg unit. I've discovered I'm pretty much stuck on my unit w/o a BSN anyway. I'm encouraged that, at least in your case, taking the time off didn't hurt you professionally. I'm thinking that I can use at least the entire time I'm working on my BSN to be completely off work. After that 15 months I'll reevaluate my circumstances and might do something PRN that will be very flexible, but also allow me to keep a foot in the door so to speak. Just trying to take it day by day now, because I get overwhelmed worrying about all the what ifs.

Now that you have over one year of exp., you could do prn home health or hospice. If you can swing it financially on one pay check, I'd vote for taking the time off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Now that you have over one year of exp., you could do prn home health or hospice. If you can swing it financially on one pay check, I'd vote for taking the time off.

I actually worked inpatient hospice as an LPN for nearly 8 years. I still keep in touch with a lot of the nurses and CNAs I worked with. I was thinking of possibly doing prn case management there at some point. Financially we should be able to manage for a while on one income. I guess since I've pretty much always worked, and never thought about not working, it's hard making the disconnect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the PRN option and suggest getting a job that doesn't require as much of a commitment. Icing on the cake would be getting a job with a facility that you'd like to work for when you graduate and you will have an excellent chance of getting hired since you'd already be an employee with a (presumably) good work history.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

Over a lifetime jobs come and go, and even almost all coworkers do too. Jobs/Careers are to support us and ours and hopefully give us some personal fulfillment in whatever form that takes. BUT it is not who we are. Your value is not tied to your career. Take the time off, rest and spend time with your little ones. Stop feeling weird or guilty for not working. Because again, a career does not define you or your life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

PRN so you look current when you want to resume full-time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I can understand why this is a difficult decision with so much on your plate.I would be hesitant to give up my one shift per week as things change very rapidly in nursing. I do not understand why you can't come up with a way to do that one shift per week.Why can't you pick a day that your husband is home and can watch the kids while you sleep after your shift or even before. You can also look for a part time sitter which may not be a bad idea considering you will now need time to study,do assignments and take care of a new baby. Look at all your options to fix the situation and ease the stress because you are having to do that anyway with so many responsibilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment