Going on Maternity Leave

[nurse.j., ASN, BSN, MSN]

So we found out a few months back that we are expecting a little bundle of joy at the end of the year. Made it past the first trimester so I told my team at work and they are all very excited. Completed my evaluations with management as well and was offered a generous salary + bonus (I have been PPV). Finally been quite busy, feeling so much more confident being a Case Manager on my own. STILL lots to learn, but I love it. I love the patients and the flexibility and the schedule can't be beat. The only trouble I am facing now, is after maternity leave (6-8 weeks) I've only been planning on working very part-time, as a newborn and preschooler in full time daycare is a large chunk of change. My DON said I could be per diem until I am ready to go back fulltime and originally my plan was to go back full time when my son starts kindergarten Sept 2016, but with the generous salary they've offered, I am not sure we could go 9ish months without it. My fiance and will be able to save a lot before I leave on maternity leave and we have minimalized our expenses, but when you're used to having a certain amount of money and then won't for a while, it's scary. I guess I have some numbers to crunch, but did anyone else who had babies while HH nursing leave for PD for a little and then go back to full time? What's everyone experience with all this? Thank you! (:

[nurse.j., ASN, BSN, MSN]

Anyone?

[caliotter3]

This was not my experience, I was not in a position to quit my job and stay home. I think you have more flexibility with this job than you would in a 'traditional' hospital job. I have seen many internal hh employees who seem to have no problem tending to personal business when you would expect them in the office. I would arrange to work out of my home as much as possible and have a set time to make any necessary trips so you can arrange sitting for those times, otherwise a good deal of your work can be done from home. That's about all I can say on the matter. Hope you are able to work this out.

[Libby1987]

I don't understand, how is it that you were going to be okay with very part time once they gave you a generous salary you can't afford not to take it.

Working FT with 2 little ones is hard, I did it back in the easy HH days and as a single mother of older ones more recently. I managed because the need was there, but I tried once to work with little ones when I didn't really need to and I had so much guilt and anxiety over it I had to quit and postpone going back to work.

Personally, I'd wait til you see how it goes per diem before you get too far ahead of yourself.

[nurse.j., ASN, BSN, MSN]

Thank you for your reply. Of course money will be tight if I only work PD. Of course would be nice to stay full time after maternity to have full pay...but as you said it's hard to work full time with 2 little ones. I guess I can just plan on taking my leave, come back PD and see how it goes and should I need to go back to full time sooner, do so. I'm a planner so of course I want to figure out all my options beforehand and have time to weigh the pros and cons.

[Libby1987]

Thank you for your reply. Of course money will be tight if I only work PD. Of course would be nice to stay full time after maternity to have full pay...but as you said it's hard to work full time with 2 little ones. I guess I can just plan on taking my leave, come back PD and see how it goes and should I need to go back to full time sooner, do so. I'm a planner so of course I want to figure out all my options beforehand and have time to weigh the pros and cons.

Preaching to the choir.

They'll take you back to FT as soon as you're ready but I think it's better to transition back into it as you're more sure of it than to have a firm plan and going splat. I've splatted before and it's demoralizing.

[JustMeRN]

I didn't leave hh, but acute care after babies.

It it was very hard going from 2 full time incomes (mine being higher) to just hubby's income and my 1-2 days a week, or less. But, we did it because it mattered to us. We cut expenses, passed on vacations for many years, gave up expensive cars and many other wants, since the money we had only really ever covered needs. We lived paycheck to paycheck for many years. Now my kids are 6 & 10, both in school full time. I'm not working full time because truely they still keep me busy. But I can work 3-4 days a week while they are in school. We have in the last year started adding wants back into the budget, not just needs, and saving money as well. Those few years of no extra money were tough, but looking back I wouldn't change it. Good luck with the new baby!

[nurse.j., ASN, BSN, MSN]

Thank you! Yeah I've been going back n forth with all the different options and I'd rather be tighter on money and home with my kids more than working all the time. When I had my first I wasn't in nursing yet, just school and part time work and was thankful for all the time I got to be home with my son. Wants and needs...def been discussing that lately too. Kids are on little for so long and grow up so fast. Plus a newborn and breastfeeding and trying to work fulltime....idk how that even works. Lol

[gibsongirl]

The best job in the world is motherhood. I wouldn't miss out on any of it if I didn't have to. You can always go back fulltime but you will never get the time back that you miss with your children. I left a very good paying job and continued to work per diem or part through the years. I do recommend you position yourself to get back into homecare if that's what you will want to go back to. My time off with my children was about 10 years. I did a few different jobs during that time. I didn't plan for my return. As a result, I could not go back to management or back into the hospital at all. Ended up in homecare. I like it but I would prefer to be in the hospital. I loved it, my hours would be better and I would be making so much more money. Good luck.