Motherhood and Being a New Nurse

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Hello, Everyone!

In December of 2015, I graduated with my BSN. One month later, I passed my NCLEX and became an RN... Oh, and I was 36 weeks pregnant when I did so. I gave birth in February and have been a stay-at-home mom since (my daughter is 3 months old.)

I plan on finding a job at the end of summer, and my question is this: Because I have been out of nursing school since December, do you think it will hurt my chances of getting hired? Also, will I find it difficult to transition to a working environment moreso than my peers who started working right after nursing school? Every nurse I have spoken too, in person, has told me that I should stay, at least, one year at home with my daughter before trying to work. However, I'm afraid if I do so, it will make me un-hireable. I think I'm just being paranoid since every nurse's reply has been "NO. Don't worry. You'll be fine."

Thoughts? Has anyone else been in this situation? Thanks!

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My husband and I are possibly wanting to start a family as well. I have one semester left (I graduate December of this year). Was it hard to be pregnant your last semester/ did you have a practicum and was it tough being on your feet?

I'm sure it will depend on where you want to work, if it will be easier/harder to find a job. You can always learn skills, especially if you find a job with a good orientation! I seriously doubt it will hurt your chances of getting hired..especially if it's only been 6 months or so. Some people where new nurses aren't getting hired I'm sure don't find jobs until about 4 months after graduating. This is all just my opinion though! I hope it all works out for you :)

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I would definitely wait until you are finished with school before starting. That is what my husband and I had planned on doing, but I got pregnant by accident the summer before my last semester (oops!) You are so much foggier mentally when you're pregnant and I had to deal with morning sickness and sciatic pain for the first two months of my last semester of nursing school. It wasn't easy, but I managed. But this is only my experience. Perhaps, it would be different for you!

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My husband and I are possibly wanting to start a family as well. I have one semester left (I graduate December of this year). Was it hard to be pregnant your last semester/ did you have a practicum and was it tough being on your feet?

I'm sure it will depend on where you want to work, if it will be easier/harder to find a job. You can always learn skills, especially if you find a job with a good orientation! I seriously doubt it will hurt your chances of getting hired..especially if it's only been 6 months or so. Some people where new nurses aren't getting hired I'm sure don't find jobs until about 4 months after graduating. This is all just my opinion though! I hope it all works out for you :)

I would definitely wait until you are finished with school before starting. That is what my husband and I had planned on doing, but I got pregnant by accident the summer before my last semester (oops!) You are so much foggier mentally when you're pregnant and I had to deal with morning sickness and sciatic pain for the first two months of my last semester of nursing school. It wasn't easy, but I managed. But this is only my experience. Perhaps, it would be different for you!

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Would you be willing to do part time? I work per diem since having my baby 9 months ago but was working as an RN for over three years before. I think what's most important is what you and your family thinks is best. I think not working for a year doesn't look great on a resume especially since you've never worked as a nurse before, but I would think you would still be able to get a job when you are ready, it may just take a bit longer when you are competing for jobs with nurses with experience. I think family is most important and you can't get that time back. There will always be jobs, but your baby won't always be a baby. That's my thoughts, but very career oriented nurses may disagree. Do what works best for you and your family. Maybe try something part time when baby is a bit older to start getting some experience.

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When I had my first son I had the same experience of passing the boards and getting my license at 36 weeks pregnant. I worked collectively 1 year in five and had another baby. Once I hit a year of work it was easy to find a job. Now I do case management and work from home.

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I would definitely wait until you are finished with school before starting. That is what my husband and I had planned on doing, but I got pregnant by accident the summer before my last semester (oops!) You are so much foggier mentally when you're pregnant and I had to deal with morning sickness and sciatic pain for the first two months of my last semester of nursing school. It wasn't easy, but I managed. But this is only my experience. Perhaps, it would be different for you!

Thanks for the feedback! It sucks waiting! But it's probably the best choice. I hope you get a job! [emoji4]

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Would you be willing to do part time? I work per diem since having my baby 9 months ago but was working as an RN for over three years before. I think what's most important is what you and your family thinks is best. I think not working for a year doesn't look great on a resume especially since you've never worked as a nurse before, but I would think you would still be able to get a job when you are ready, it may just take a bit longer when you are competing for jobs with nurses with experience. I think family is most important and you can't get that time back. There will always be jobs, but your baby won't always be a baby. That's my thoughts, but very career oriented nurses may disagree. Do what works best for you and your family. Maybe try something part time when baby is a bit older to start getting some experience.

I would. In fact, my husband and I both agreed I should start looking for a job by the end of summer, and the hospital near my house is always looking for a new nurse. I've just heard from nurses who are already working that I should spend the first year at home with my baby. I want to work part-time and learn.

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Not sure why people are insisting on your waiting a year, especially since you are already waiting until the end of summer.

You have a good reason for not starting right away, so I don't think it will hurt you much. However, new grad jobs in general can be hard to come by. For the jobs you want, is there much competition in your market? Are you willing to be flexible and take another, less desirable job to gain experience? In the end, it will depend on your career aspirations.

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Not sure why people are insisting on your waiting a year, especially since you are already waiting until the end of summer.

You have a good reason for not starting right away, so I don't think it will hurt you much. However, new grad jobs in general can be hard to come by. For the jobs you want, is there much competition in your market? Are you willing to be flexible and take another, less desirable job to gain experience? In the end, it will depend on your career aspirations.

I'm not picky and I know they are hiring in hospitals around me. I just want experience because I plan on going back to school for my NP license in a few years.

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