I'm pregnant, should I switch jobs?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

Updated:  

Good Morning Nurse Beth, (edited for length)

I am considering a change of position in my nursing career and am seeking some very much needed insight! For the past 4 years I was working and managing an 85+ resident assisted living and memory care community. In the midst of COVID our DON left the community leaving only myself with 2 other nurses to cover 24/7 care.

 I am craving so much more and find myself truly missing the 'controlled chaos' from my previous nursing position.

I am blessed to be in a position currently where my hourly rate is great and my 8hr days 5 days a week consists of about only 2-3hours of actual hands on care during my shift, the other hours are spent sitting around watching the clock tick. Despite absolutely loving the families that I currently provide care for I am severely yearning to utilize more of my nursing skills, to get back out into the community and work within a team of nurses and get back into the constant go, go, go of the day!

I recently received the opportunity to interview for a few positions at my local community hospital which has always been my goal to work in a hospital setting especially the ER! The positions I am presented with are a Triage Nurse position working 3-12's and EO Sunday or a Monday-Friday no weekends 8-5p outpatient office based within the hospital. I have a very supportive husband along with two bonus children 7 and 8 years old and we recently found out that we are expecting our first bundle of joy together expected to arrive around late July!

My desire for more is becoming stronger and I am unhappy with my current day to day predictability. I am finding the decision to leave HomeCare difficult and scary. Despite the pay and hours being amazing, along with the work load being very simple and lite. I am able to get my kids onto the bus and be home and present to do homework with them and make dinner. Along with no longer feeling fulfilled or happy doing what I am currently doing... My current employer does not offer paid sick days, tuition reimbursement, benefits are okay, nor do they offer maternity leave.

The potential new hospital position provides all of these benefits along with on-site child care once I do return after maternity leave. I am aware that I may not receive maternity leave as soon as starting as a new employee and am unsure as how to ask about all of the benefits, including if they offer maternity leave, without disclosing that I am expecting in Late July in fear of being not offered the position. My plan is to continue my education during my maternity leave, with an online LPN-BSN program that I have already begun the admissions process with.

 I am torn if the best option for my mental state and pregnancy would be to stick it out with home care until I deliver around late July, or do I make the leap now and start a new position at a hospital that will be physically, mentality and financially rewarding, as well as, taxing up until and after my delivery?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this mini-novel! Your insight and advice is very much appreciated! Greatly looking forward to your response!

Share this post

+ Add A Comment
Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Torn,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I did choose to edit longer portions of your letter for readability, but I read every word with interest.

 I'm so impressed by your desire to want more and do more. You clearly have nursing and ambition in your blood. 

Withe your ambition, you are only going to become increasingly unhappy with your current job as time goes on.

You may definitely want to grab the opportunity to move to acute care now. The benefits are better, and you'll be sorted, job-wise, by the time the baby comes. You don't have to ask about maternity leave benefits before accepting the position. You don't have maternity leave now, so no loss.

You will undoubtedly get a very lengthy and informative HR handbook chock-full of your benefits information for your reading enjoyment once you're hired.

The alternative to changing jobs now is staying where you are. In that case, you'll still be in a job you don't love when the new baby arrives, plus you'll be in school. 

Know that a lot will change for you when the baby comes. You might even temporarily lose interest in work. That restless, excess energy you have right now may be completely subsumed by parenting an infant. Your priorities may shift and it would be good to have your work life sorted.

A major consideration is whether 12 hrs or 8 hrs is going to work better for your family, and that has a lot to do with your child care plans. Onsite child care is a dream for many.

The advantage to taking either of the hospital positions is that you're in! In months and even years to come, there will be so many opportunities for you to persue, especially once you have your RN.

Best wishes and good health,

Nurse Beth

+ Add a Comment