last semester of uni & wondering when to start a family? (Almost 30)

[FutureRNsarah]

Hi fellow nurses.

im in Australia and am graduating at the end of this year. I'm also turning 30 around the same time. I held off having children throughout my degree and now that I'm nearly done I'm back to the drawing board. I'm wondering when is a better time to get pregnant? I'm worried that if I start now and I get preg fast (unlikely I know but you never know) then I would be due around April. This wouldn't give me much time to work as an rn - also the grad program I've applied for doesn't commence until April so I wouldn't even be able to start it. I'm also worried that I won't have time to consolidate what I have learnt and this might make it hard to get a job after the baby is old enough. I also wouldn't be entitled to maternity pay. I was thinking of waiting even 3 months so that I could do atleast 3 months of my grad program... Thoughts?

[myelitenurse2b, LPN]

If you are in a position where you can mentally, financially and physically tend to an infant- then go for it. It's not a matter of child or school- you can do both! However, you know your supports; similarly, I would say wait til those maternity benefits kick in! Turning thirty does not mean the end of a chance to have a little one! :)

[FutureRNsarah]

Thanks for the reply!

ill be finished school soon so it's not the issue of children or school :). My issue is having a baby just after I graduate and not getting that time to consolidate my skills. And I'm scared it will make getting a job in the future harder. Just not sure if I should hold off so I can get my first year of working as a RN done or just go for it and work it out as I go. The hard thing is I really want to start my family but I also don't want to jeopardise my career.