I have a kids question!

[ant123]

Those of you that have had kids, did you stop working for a few years to raise them or did you go back to your job after maternity leave?

If you stop working for a few years, is it easy to get your "old" job back??

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

I never took any time off work for either of my kids.

But then again, I am male.

Nobody can answer this question for you. Some choose to work and put the kids in daycare. Some have to work and put the kids in daycare. Some take a few years off to raise them. Some have family that can take care of them. Some work part time so their spouse can watch them.

As for if you leave for a few years and want to come back to your "old job", it all depends on where you work and the economy at the time.

[Ladyscrubs]

I never took any time off work for either of my kids.

But then again, I am male.

I worked nights 3-11 and 7p-7a while pregnant and my water broke and I delivered on my day off. While in the labor room, my now ex hubs informed me he told his boss off and quit his job, so basically I jumped out of bed and returned to work (okay, it was a week later). I worked the neuro floor, short staffed, and with a bad reputation, so I could of taken five years off and returned to my same job with the highest seniority no less.

If I could have managed it financially I would have jump at the chance to spend more quality time with my daughter. But if you do take time off, get with an nursing agency and pick up some per diem. Employers think if you don't wipe a butt for six months, you need to take a refresher course.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nursing - and the Healthcare industry in general - moves very quickly. Taking a hiatus is always risky because you can get really far behind, particularly if you work in a clinical specialty that incorporates a lot of technology. Re-entering the workforce after a few years away can be a real challenge because employers usually limit participation in their (expensive) transition programs to new grads. Luckily, there is a third option... dropping back to PRN for a while can keep you in the loop and reflect that all-important "recent experience" when you want to return to a full time job.

I didn't take time off either - but I worked a lot of nights and hubby was a fully engaged parent, so I was really lucky.

[blueindigo79]

I have 3 kids and took 3 months off with each but when back to work part-time with the first and full-time with the 2nd and 3rd. I think if you are interested in maintaining skills and re-entering the job market eventually, finding a prn or part-time jobs would be in your favor. It may be hard to get a job after taking a few years off. good luck

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Since this question is not specific to any U.S. state, this thread's been moved to the General Nursing Discussion forum to elicit more responses and feedback.

[kidsmom002]

Both of my children were very premature and very small so we didn't want them in daycare for quite a while. However, there was never any chance of me staying home completely. We have no family, so we had to figure it out ourselves. I transferred to the float pool and was able to choose which days I worked. We were lucky, I worked two 12's (days) a week and my husband worked three 12's (nights).When I changed from part-time to per-diem I was still able to choose what days I worked and due to a chronically short-staffed facility I could work as much (or little) as I wanted. I worked the days he was off and vice versa. My daughter didn't start daycare until right before she turned two and my son didn't start until he turned one.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I went from full time med/surg to per diem psych (0-2 days a week). I find psych "easier" and I like that I can control my schedule, completely. I'm also around less "super-bugs"- at least known ones!!

I don't want my child in day care at this point (he's 5 months old). And when I do put him in, eventually, it will be for a few hours a few times a week for socialization.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

I was lucky enough to be able to take time off until pre-k. I am glad that I did, but my job was not there when I returned.

This is a highly personal choice to make. There will be pros and cons to any of them.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Why have children.. if you have someone else raise them?

You will not get your old job back, but you can stay active in nursing by working 2 shifts a month as PRN.

[quazar]

I had planned on going back full time, but those plans changed once my first child was born and his personality and issues led to the decision for me to become a stay at home mom who only worked per diem. I had to go back for only 6 hour shifts at a time at first, as well, because my oldest refused anything but the breast for the first 6 months of his life, and would literally go hungry waiting for me to get home. When my second child was born, I didn't change anything, and stayed per diem.

I work 1-2 shifts a week on average, but have gone stretches of as long as 4 weeks without working due to family needs. It works for our family.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I never stopped working. Things change all the time, and staying per diem let me stay current, earn money, pick my own schedule, give my husband a chance to do real childcare, and give me something outside the home. As little as a couple of shifts a month can do that.

A person's ability to earn money is a valuable asset that deserves to be protected and maintained.