2nd child on the way...input wanted

froggg123 · Nov 29, 2012

What about Per Diem, and only work 2 shifts a months, little of both worlds.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2012

Keep your license. You don't have to make your license inactive. All you have to do in most states is keep paying the renewals and take some CE. The nursing board will not care.

Look for something with 2 eights, or maybe 2 weekends a month for the OT.

"Skills" can cover a multitude of things. I haven't worked bedside in almost 20 years and I have LOTS of nursing skills that I use at work as a nurse every day. Keep an open mind-- you might find something that captures your heart and you'll never see the inside of a hospital again. Don't be afraid of that just because it's novel.

melisgood · Nov 29, 2012

Per diem may be something to look into. I'm assuming it varies by hospital, but are you scheduled specific days or are you on call? Also, do you usually work any floor qualified or only one specific floor? Do you have to attend staff meetings (unit specific) or are there per diem meetings? How much more is the hourly pay usually? Would I contact the nursing office or HR to inquire about possibilities?

melisgood · Nov 29, 2012

Also, any advice on best place to take CE credits if unemployed? Would it make sense, if I decided 12hour shifts aren't for me, to stay home for say 6 months and then look for a job outside the hospital? Any specific areas other than home health that I should be considering?

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 30, 2012

I am another mom who went per diem. Of course it varies by hospital, but I choose my own days and I do sometimes schedule for a 4 hour afternoon 3-7 block of time and I often take coworker request to work the last 4 hours of their shift if they need to leave early. I work on the same floor I worked full-time. I am never on call, don't have to go to staff meetings(the manager is good about communicating via email the unit news).

The hourly pay is better. My husband carries the health insurance, and I fund my own IRA.

Keeping working, even a little has been a great benefit to my mental health. It is something outside the home that is mine. Interacting with adults, making a difference, and getting paid and getting out of the house kept me sane when the kids were little.

rita359 · Nov 30, 2012

I think I would see if I could not just go prn after maternity leave. That way you still have an employer, can usually work as much as you want or just the bare minimum. In this economy with some nurses having to look for a long time to get a job I would not give up the employer if I didn't have to. That being said you can always keep your eyes open for a better position.

Keep your license active. It usually doesn't cost that much. Keep whatever continuing education your active license requires. ALWAYS keep all your options open. You never know what will happen in the future that you may thank your lucky stars you kept options open.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 30, 2012

I would strongly advise you NOT to sever all ties with a 'working' position in nursing unless it is a very short period of time. I understand the temptation to become a SAHM, but this can become a huge negative when you try to re-start your career, especially since the constant influx of new grads is not expected to slow down in the near future. I agree with PP's advice to move into PRN status to keep one foot in the door. Heck, you may even look forward to the occasional shift as a way to escape 'baby land' for a while - LOL!

Best of luck with your decision & new arrival!

allnurses Guide · Nov 30, 2012

:yes: Some of us like "baby land".

It's easy to continue to do CE's for your license. I go to as many local classes and conferences that I can and you can do CE's online.

If your husband has a good job with bene's, you can certainly go on his insurance. You can also look at your budget to see what you can cut to make it easier to stay home.

You could do the per diem thing too.

Please don't feel guilty about wanting to stay home to raise your kids. It's a valid choice. And one I prefer.

As to the boredom issue - that reminds me of my when my kids mentioned the word "bored". They didn't want to do that when mom was around . . . . I think we make ourselves bored. We can be bored at work as well. I look for things to keep my mind engaged and think exercise is a great way to not be bored. There is a trail locally - it is about 1 1/2 miles and loops around to a gorgeous waterfall. I put one kiddo on my back and held the hand of the other one and we'd head out on a trek a couple of times a week. I'd ask other friends with kids to go with us and the conversations would usually end up making us laugh together. I can find lots of things for my kids to do and am not a fan of putting them in front of a tv or giving them video games. "Let's go have an adventure!" and out the door we would go. I loved that part of my life and miss it. Three of my kids are adults and my last is 11. He and I still walk the waterfall loop or go explore the lava caves or head over to the lake to fish.

Life is never boring but some people choose to be bored. The concept of boredom entails an inability to use up present moments in a personally fulfilling way. Boredom is a choice; something you visit upon yourself, and it is another of those self-defeating items that you can eliminate from your life.
WAYNE W. DYER