I'm struggling with life decisions right now. I've got a decent job in the healthcare field that I am extremely bored with and am a mom to a beautiful 19month old. We want to have another, but all that aside......I am most likely going to start an ADN program (can't do the fast track BSN, b/c I still have to work) in Jan and will be done Dec '12. I toyed w/ the idea w/ nursing school before, but decided I really didn't know if I wanted to do it. Then got pg, so definitely didn't do it. After having my daughter, I am obsessed w/ pregnant women, breastfeeding, labor stories, newborn care and all things mom/baby. I am quite familiar w/ what nurses do as I work very closely with them, so nursing is not going to be a surprise to me. I have a ton of documentation, red tape, politics in my job as well. :) Anyway, what is holding me back is that when I get done w/ school I may not be lucky enough to get a PP or L&D job. I would love to start off in PP and then possibly do L&D. Also, being away from my family and the stress of nursing school. But, I just feel that I want to be that nurse who helps a new mom or 2nd, 3rd, 4th time mom out in the hospital. My friend just had a baby and I saw the picture of her nurses gloved hand holding her baby for her first picture. I told my husband, see, that could be my hand. I could be the one holding that newborn so the parent can take their childs first picture....
I don't really know what I'm asking, but something along the lines of ...... did you only want to work in OB, did you have to do something first to gain experience, should I really postpone having number 2 and sacrifice 2 years of my daughters life so I can have what I want (i feel selfish), ........ I struggle being a working mom and missing out, but I worry I will regret not doing this down the road. Is it crazy of me to focus on career first instead of postponing school until the kids are older? I worry I am already in a job that I am not thrilled with and I don't want to go back to school and end up in a position that I'm not thrilled with. I really just want to work mom/baby. Does someone have a crystal ball???? Anyone???
Ok, I'm rambling, but just figured a lot of you are moms and may have been in my shoes at one point in your life :-)
This sounds like me. I used to be the "breadwinner." Now I'm not. Not much bread coming in here, that's for sure! My husband wants to be a Certified Master Chef, and the road to making good money in that field and getting that title is a long, somewhat expensive one. He may never have benefits as well, and definitely not a normal job.
My husband is an artist. Hmmmm, not sure which is worse, hahahhaaa! Just kidding. I used to do some personal chef work and love love love to cook. So, you will be a happy woman with a full belly and I will always have beautiful walls
My husband is an artist. Hmmmm, not sure which is worse, hahahhaaa! Just kidding. I used to do some personal chef work and love love love to cook. So, you will be a happy woman with a full belly and I will always have beautiful walls
happy2learn-great idea, but at this point with working FT, school (I'm having to retake some courses b/c they are over 5 years old), and family duties I really do not have a second left in the day. I would be all over a cuddler volunteer job...there is nothing sweeter. I'm crossing my fingers that some of my connections now will help me 2 years from now.
Yes, with this job-market being picky is a little tougher. But, it is possible. You have the advantage of knowing ahead of time where your heart lies. So, you can make this clear to your teachers, clinical instructors, etc... You can sign up to precept summers in L&D to increase your chances, and make a point to get to know the nurse managers in L&D/PP during your clinicals.
thevwgirl-I'm sure it is different everywhere, but how does one go about precepting? Is this something people have to apply for and hope they get it and what type of duties do you do? Is it typically something you can do on a part-time basis?
I have to say when I started nursing school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went through an 18 month Accelerated BSN program (no breaks). We started in January and in the beginning of March I found out, very unexpectedly that I was expecting. I too became obsessed with everything pregnancy. I loved it and found it fascinating. I thankfully was able to have my son and continue with school without missing a beat, all the while wanting to be a L&D nurse. Out of school, despite being top of my class, I couldn't find a L&D position, so I accepted a position on med/surg/ortho floor. I had never wanted to work med-surg or had any desire to do anything but L&D but it was what is available. Needless to say it has been a perfect fit. I love what I do and look forward to going to work. I still think about working L&D some days, but most days I think I would be bored. Not that L&D doesn't come with its own challenges but I no longer think its for me. Keep your eyes open, you may be surprised what you fall in love with. :redpinkhe
When I first started nursing school, all I wanted to do was LD/PP. Once we started clinicals, I fell in love with the nsg home residents. My first job was LTC for 4 years and I've been a hospice nurse for the past 10 years. I am currently in an LPN/BSN bridge program. I'm actually not looking forward to the LD/PP clinicals, because my heart is in hospice and that's where I'm going to stay.
Training as a doula sounds like a good option! Nsg school can be stressful, I waited until all my kids were in school and old enough to be left alone in the afternoon. Do what's best for you!
I did home births and worked at a birth center for several years and loved every minute of it. In some states, you can even apprentice to become a CPM/LM if you work with a busy midwife. I know of a few CPM/LM that went thru Excelsior afterword to become an RN, and even one that became a CNM so that she could deliver in hospitals, too.
Mks1014, did you write this post for yourself or for me??? Your story is my story (just switch L&D for Peds). I am also postponing #2. I also wish I had figured this all out before #1. I'm also the breadwinner (hubby is a realtor ). I am also in my 30's (which is a factor with postponing #2), but I am starting my prereqs in August. I am in mega saving mode now so that I can work PT when I actually start the nursing program (first year in my current job b/c it pays better and I have a hefty mortgage and second year in the hospital for experience and connections). At times, I feel like it is very selfish b/c I will be taking a major hit in income to become a nurse and I feel like I am stealing from my son's future & opportunites. But I only have 16-19 years left before my son is on his own. I'll be working another THIRTY years. Money isn't everything. I have to do what I was created to do and God will handle the rest. Good luck with your decision!
I too dreamed of being a L&D nurse when I started my nursing journey. I then got to explore other areas of nursing and fall in love with other things.
One thing that my OB instructor said for those interested in PP & LD is to take your year and get experience in some area of nursing. While doing that get the various certifications that OB nurses are expected to have. This will give you a foot up on another applicant who may not have those..
w/ pregnant women, breastfeeding, labor stories, newborn care and all things mom/baby. I am quite familiar w/ what nurses do as I work very closely with them, so nursing is not going to be a surprise to me. I have a ton of documentation, red tape, politics in my job as well. :) Anyway, what is holding me back is that when I get done w/ school I may not be lucky enough to get a PP or L&D job. I would love to start off in PP and then possibly do L&D. Also, being away from my family and the stress of nursing school. But, I just feel that I want to be that nurse who helps a new mom or 2nd, 3rd, 4th time mom out in the hospital. My friend just had a baby and I saw the picture of her nurses gloved hand holding her baby for her first picture. I told my husband, see, that could be my hand. I could be the one holding that newborn so the parent can take their childs first picture....
Not much bread coming in here, that's for sure! My husband wants to be a Certified Master Chef, and the road to making good money in that field and getting that title is a long, somewhat expensive one. He may never have benefits as well, and definitely not a normal job.
). I am also in my 30's (which is a factor with postponing #2), but I am starting my prereqs in August. I am in mega saving mode now so that I can work PT when I actually start the nursing program (first year in my current job b/c it pays better and I have a hefty mortgage and second year in the hospital for experience and connections). At times, I feel like it is very selfish b/c I will be taking a major hit in income to become a nurse and I feel like I am stealing from my son's future & opportunites. But I only have 16-19 years left before my son is on his own. I'll be working another THIRTY years. Money isn't everything. I have to do what I was created to do and God will handle the rest. Good luck with your decision!
happy2learn
1,118 Posts
OP - have you thought about volunteering in a department related to the field you want to be in?
My hospital has a volunteer position where you cuddle babies. It's called a cuddler.
Maybe you can see if a local hospital has something similar, that way you can network, which may hopefully help you get the position you want.