I’m currently pregnant expecting my fourth child. I would like to work PRN at a local hospital (if they have a position that works for me). However, I know that I will not want to work postpartum- indefinitely. Raising babies is hard and important work!
My concerns are that 1) They won’t hire me since I’m pregnant and might not return after maternity leave (is that discrimination?) and 2) a short few-months long of working will look bad on my future resume. I worked for that hospital for 3 months last year but left in good standing for other personal reasons. It’s so hard to work consistently with a family. I’m afraid if I don’t work now while I feel good I won’t work again for a couple of years. I love nursing.
I really appreciate all the feedback. A kind float pool manager is working with me to see if she can find a need for a new-ish grad working PRN somewhere. I don't have much hope for it. Like everyone has already said, I really think they expect all their PRN employees to hit the ground running. Who would want to worry about training a new person who's not even there very often?
I can understand the limitation there.
Unfortunately I don't think my husband will be okay with me working just part time. I've tried to explain that it was the acuity of the floor I was on and the lack of support (since the nurse:pt ratio was sometimes 1:7 on a stepdown!!) that made me such a hot mess a lot of the time... but of course he thinks that's what it will be like if I work any more than PRN on any floor!
At this point it looks like I'll be waiting until about a year and a half from now to work. As much as I really hate that. I love nursing. Thanks again for the practical insight and wisdom
Actually, considering the matter fuller, I don’t see why I couldn’t work part time, take maternity leave (or whatever I need to do to take a break to have the baby) and then go back to part time after. Someone mentioned this in their comment, and I think it’s reasonable. My husband doesn’t want me to do that basically because he won’t consider hiring a babysitter. They’re expensive, I get it. It would be great if I had family support but my mom has made it clear she won’t watch my kids so I can work. My in-laws live in England so that’s not an option either. I feel stuck in a rut regarding this circumstance ?
My older children are almost-6, 4.5, and almost 2. I’m due in September. So far I have had healthy pregnancies; of course I realize that doesn’t necessarily mean this one will be the whole way through
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You ARE in a pickle. So no chance of getting a nanny or babysitter? I am stumped. Childcare would eat you up anyhow. Still advise holding off working for a while but that's me.
Yeah I really am. When I worked last time my husband and I took turns looking after the kids (he worked full time hours but it was flexible)... it felt like a divorce situation! Which sucked because we actually love each other LOL.
I’m going to ask if I could work part time and have a babysitter for one of those days. But that still doesn’t account for the fact that they would probably still want my orientation to be full time?I’m going to do some more probing and networking and then let it be
Actually, considering the matter fuller, I don’t see why I couldn’t work part time, take maternity leave (or whatever I need to do to take a break to have the baby) and then go back to part time after. Someone mentioned this in their comment, and I think it’s reasonable. My husband doesn’t want me to do that basically because he won’t consider hiring a babysitter. They’re expensive, I get it. It would be great if I had family support but my mom has made it clear she won’t watch my kids so I can work. My in-laws live in England so that’s not an option either. I feel stuck in a rut regarding this circumstance ?
If your husband will not consider hiring a sitter... and you will bow to him... why did you present this question?
If you like nursing.. and want to pursue that career.. that is YOUR choice.
If your husband will not consider hiring a sitter... and you will bow to him... why did you present this question?
If you like nursing.. and want to pursue that career.. that is YOUR choice.
It’s called mutual respect. He knows I would benefit from a nursing job and wants me to do it but I don’t think he fully realizes that new grads basically don’t stand much of a chance part time. While I did choose nursing and committed to it, I have always put my family first. It doesn’t mean I will never work... just that I have to continually discern when the “right time” is.
There is never a “right time” to work - it’s always a struggle, LOL. We all just need to do our best. For you, that means getting your husband on board to hire some outside help as needed and also do more of the childcare himself so you can work part-time. Also consider if you have friends in similar situations and see if you can do some childcare sharing (you watch their kids, they watch yours).
I work part-time in a hospital. I do the PM shift (3-11) and work 3-4 shifts per week, which includes every-other weekend. I’m a .7 FTE. So, while I do need to work weekends, my husband can take care of the kids then. He also can care for them the evenings during the week when I work. I spend time with the kids in the mornings and on the days I don’t work. I could not do this full-time but it works as part-time. My orientation was full-time for 3 months, so that was hard (it was also mainly day shift 7-3, then a few shifts on 3-11). I get paid more per hour working 3-11 shift than day shift - I also get weekend premium pay for working weekends. I also get benefits like vacation time and retirement plan and short-term disability pay if I were to get sick or have a baby and need to be out for a bit.
I would advise you to seek out a similar job in a hospital - where they train you well full-time and then you work part-time after orientation. I recommend seeking out an 8-hour PM shift .6 FTE position (so you would work 3 shifts a week, so 24 hours per week) and where you might need to work every-other weekend. it’s important that you have time for your kids but also that you take of them and yourself financially - make sure you get a position with benefits like the ones I mention above. Good luck - please don’t short-change yourself by underestimating what you are capable of doing! Your kids will be proud of you.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You say you have mutual respect. Can he respect your career enough to get childcare help for when you go back to work? Or will he step up and care for all 4 himself while you work?
You may be surprised how much time "part time" really is. Many hospital jobs are requiring or mandating overtime. And you have fulltime orientation to get through and that can take time.
It's probably best to sit out until birth and 3 months post partum. Besides, you will not qualify for FMLA if employed a few months. If you want to work in a hospital, try to offer them a weekend help or something, that means part time or PRN. Maybe you can get more help at home with the kids on the weekend and go to work. That way you can build up your experience.
Another route might be SNF - they will happily take you for any schedule.
Yeah I really am. When I worked last time my husband and I took turns looking after the kids (he worked full time hours but it was flexible)... it felt like a divorce situation! Which sucked because we actually love each other LOL.
I’m going to ask if I could work part time and have a babysitter for one of those days. But that still doesn’t account for the fact that they would probably still want my orientation to be full time?I’m going to do some more probing and networking and then let it be
You might have to do the take turns situation again. Look at it as temporary until you get some experience and apply for from home jobs. If your husband does not want babysitter, then how does he imagine it happening? Back to alternating schedules.
kat1822, BSN, RN
41 Posts
I really appreciate all the feedback. A kind float pool manager is working with me to see if she can find a need for a new-ish grad working PRN somewhere. I don't have much hope for it. Like everyone has already said, I really think they expect all their PRN employees to hit the ground running. Who would want to worry about training a new person who's not even there very often?
I can understand the limitation there.
Unfortunately I don't think my husband will be okay with me working just part time. I've tried to explain that it was the acuity of the floor I was on and the lack of support (since the nurse:pt ratio was sometimes 1:7 on a stepdown!!) that made me such a hot mess a lot of the time... but of course he thinks that's what it will be like if I work any more than PRN on any floor!
At this point it looks like I'll be waiting until about a year and a half from now to work. As much as I really hate that. I love nursing. Thanks again for the practical insight and wisdom