How has becoming a nurse BEFORE becoming a mother helped?

itsmejuli · Sep 25, 2011

Is this a homework assignment?

Amanda.RN · Sep 25, 2011

I am not a mom, yet... But I think that being a nurse first has made me MORE nervous to become a mother because I'm aware of all of the things that could go wrong. Since becoming a nurse, I've said many times "Ignorance is bliss" -- meaning that sometimes I think things would be easier if I didn't know quite so much...

Having said that, I wouldn't change a thing. I hope this helps answer your question.

Best regards,

Amanda

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2011

This would be a rather odd homework assignment, since the answers will be so subjective. More likely the OP is an nurse or is thinking about becoming a nurse, but also thinking about having children and wondering what the benefits would be if she waited until after establishing a career to have a child.

OP, I'm also not a mother, but DH and I are planning on it in the near future. I work in Peds ICU and often wonder if my experiences are going to make more more worried/paranoid/overprotective of my children. However, I also highly value the medical knowledge that I have as well as the experience I have gained in caring for children. I think that my experience as a nurse has helped me learn how to provide complex care, juggle the needs of many children, come up with creative ways to get them to cooperate and entertain them, and helped me gain a lot of patience. I'm more confident in my ability to care for and communicate with children. I also find comfort in the fact that I would know how to respond effectively in the event of an emergency.

I'm really glad we have waited to have children. Being able to establish myself personally and professionally has been a blessing. I also believe that it was much easier to complete nursing school and will be easier return to work after birth since I already have a job that I love.

P.S. You might get more answers in the "Family" section of AN Central. You can also try searching the threads over there for similar topics.

roma4204, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2011

I would hope it's not a HW assignment because that would be the most sexist assignment ever.

I think nursing has made me more easy going about certain things because when you're dealing with so much at once everything becomes relative

eslvn · Sep 25, 2011

I am not a mother yet, but I am pretty sure that nothing prepares you for motherhood. I think being a mother is different than anything else in the world.

RNMom2010 · Sep 25, 2011

I had my son 2 weeks after passing NCLEX so just had a limited knowledge base from school, however, even now, it seems if it is related to my son all I know escapes my mind. I do know when it is appropriate or not appropriate to take my son to the dr, when I notice that my non nursey friends take their kids in for EVERYTHING. Like the above poster said, nothing prepares you for being a mom.

xxryu139xx · Sep 25, 2011

would u try to do the Parachute Reflex if u haven't learned about it in Maternal & Peds?

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 25, 2011

would u try to do the Parachute Reflex if u haven't learned about it in Maternal & Peds?

Huh? What's the parachute reflex?

xxryu139xx · Sep 26, 2011

The PARACHUTE REFLEX occurs in the slightly older infant, and is elicited by holding the child upright then rotating the body quickly face forward (as if falling). The arms are reflexively extended as if to break a fall even though this reflex appears long before walking.

ErinS, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2011

I do not have kids yet, but being a nurse likely will help me be a mom because nursing has taught me:

1. How to be patient with people who know how to push my buttons.

2. How to prioritize.

3. When to worry about an illness or injury, and when to just give them some jello and chicken noodle soup.

4. How to change diapers on all sizes and shapes.

5. How to handle vomit, diarrhea, sputum, and wounds- all at once!

6. How to grieve when tragedy strikes, and it has made me realize that any moment with a child is precious because kids die too.

And reasons why I probably won't be a better parent for having been a nurse first:

1. It takes someone being VERY sick before I get worried.

2. I know children die, and will likely worry a lot about this.

3. I am pretty sure every headache is a brain tumor, every stomach ache is a bleeding ulcer, and that every cough is pneumonia.

4. It is hard to get excited over a little knee scrape when my patient I cared for today had a forearm sized tunneling ulcer up his back.

So, I guess it is a tossup, and something I can't speak to until I have my own kids.

Simply Complicated · Sep 26, 2011

I had been a nurse for close to 4 years when I had my daughter. It helps, as far as having a little more knowledge about the medications, or not totally freaking when they have a fever. I don't feel the need to rush off to the ER everytime she gets sick, or falls down and hits her head. I know how to handle it at home.

But on the other hand, it is still your child. So you do worry when they spike that high fever, even if you know how to get it under control. Then the downfall comes in, because while realistically you know it's just a cold, or a viral infection.. you start thinking of all the worst case scenarios.