Help please!! Advice on RN career path

5 Posts

I'm a RN with my BSN. I worked 1 year med/surg at Vanderbilt hospital and then relocated to Memphis to be with my husband. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in March. I've been working at a local Nursing Home & Rehab Center since moving to Memphis. I planon working until the baby is born (which will mean I will have been at this facility for 7 months). Unfortunately my workplace has told me that since I have not been there a year they are not willing to give me time off with the baby. Therefore, I'm seriously considering resigning just before the baby is born where I can get the time off that she and I will need.

I'm contemplating returning to school (online) in the Fall where I could still stay home and care for the baby. I'm thinking of going for my MSN in Nursing Education. (A lot of these job qualifications for educators say you must have 3 years acute care experience -- and I don't at this time). I've wanted to teach nursing for a while, and I know I would truly enjoy it. I was just wondering how some got their start in Nursing Education and if there is anything you would recommend me doing or certain schools you've heard good things about? Lastly, if I do start school soon I will have just under 2 years of clinical experience since getting my RN. I afraid that may be a negative thing when it comes to getting into a program, but I know some with similar experience going for their NP right now so hopefully it's not.

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!!! My family is the most important thing to me and for now I want to stay home with my baby because it's the only way I'll be happy with for now, but I am not wanting to hurt my career either.