New grad not wanting to work

martymoose, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

This might not seem very nice, but it is disappointing to hear of some one who took up a spot in a nursing program and then decides they don't want to use it at all. It is nice you don't have to work to keep a roof over your head, but there are many people I know waiting to get into school because they have to get gainful employment, not to mention they want a meaningful job. There are many jobs around here for 7 bucks an hour, but they don't pay the rent or support a family. You are blessed that you are able to make that choice, it's just too bad someone who wanted to work would have liked your spot in school.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 3, 2004

How about doing "per diem" work, like I do? I only work when the Dh is home with my kids. I never wanted to return after my dd was born 5 years ago. I cried when I thought of having to put her and her brother in daycare. Fortunately, I found Per diem work to be the perfect compromise. It kept me "in the loop" and current in nursing (not to mention money coming in)--- yet allowed me to be home with the kids most of the time. Allows me time to be a soccer team mom and cook their dinners as well as homeschool them. Yes, I know how you feel; kids are precious to us and grow TOO fast. I think that may be your solution. It's been mine for 5 years now. NO regrets!!!! I love working like this. In nursing we are fortunate in that we can often bend schedules to fit our lifestyles/schedules. I hope you can find a way to do this for yourself.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

This might not seem very nice .... it's just too bad someone who wanted to work would have liked your spot in school.

You are right, it isn't very nice. Did you miss the day they taught us about autonomy and being nonjudgmental? Who says any of us is obliged to do anything with our degree?

This girl earned her spot and she earned her degree. There's not a thing wrong with being a nurse and a stay at home Mom. No one knows where that knowledge will pay off.

I didn't get to go to nursing school until I was 49, and I didn't get to be a stay at home Mom, either, and I struggled to support my children as a single parent a good part of their growing up, but none of that gives me any right to criticize anyone's choices.

OP, I guess you opened the door when you posted that, but there will always be people who feel it is incumbent upon them to make value judgments about others and then impose those opinions on those others.

Too bad. Doesn't sound very supportive to me. Doesn't sound very nurse-like either. (I guess it boils down to "who the heck are you to criticize anyone else?")

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 3, 2004

This might not seem very nice, but it is disappointing to hear of some one who took up a spot in a nursing program and then decides they don't want to use it at all. It is nice you don't have to work to keep a roof over your head, but there are many people I know waiting to get into school because they have to get gainful employment, not to mention they want a meaningful job. There are many jobs around here for 7 bucks an hour, but they don't pay the rent or support a family. You are blessed that you are able to make that choice, it's just too bad someone who wanted to work would have liked your spot in school.

I am sorry you feel this way, truly. I am concerned only because you in NO way offered a solution or helped with the OP's problem. I don't think this post was very helpful. She is in the middle of a tough decision-making problem/dilemma.

You know what: Each situation is different, and while maybe some of us do not work outside the home full-time to keep a roof over our heads, it by any means does NOT mean we don't sacrifice HEAVILY to be home with our kids, either. I cut out a lot of "extras" in order to be home, not to mention stalling out my career, in order to raise my kids. It does not mean I took up a spot a "more deserving " person could have had. I earned it like you did and she did! Advice one nurse to another: Don't be so quick to judge others please.

leslie :-D · Sep 3, 2004

i can definitely understand wanting some much needed time off to rejuvenate, spend time with family, etc.

personally, i would not stay out of the loop too long...no more than a couple of months and then get yourself a part time or perdiem position.

much luck to you.

leslie

Karen_tn_37211 · Sep 3, 2004

Ok, if you criticize and judge someone that is criticizing and judging someone else, aren't you just as guilty of being critical and judgmental? Isn't that being just a tad bit hypocritical? Why don't we just practice what we preach?

Nurse Ratched, RN · Sep 3, 2004

Dragging thread back to topic....

Please stick to the original post. Thank you!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 3, 2004

I agree, can we just direct our energies to helping the OP? and I DO practice what I preach.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

All I can say is do what your heart tells you is the right thing to do. I didn't work for 3 months after I finished.....and didn't go into hospital nursing for 3 more years. Think about the next 15-18 years. Your RN will still be there as long as you keep paying your fees and keep up your skills. Your child/children however will grow up very fast. I had the option your are facing and I chose to work.....I wish I had chosen my children.

mariedoreen · Sep 3, 2004

I'm in the same boat you are in! I'm busting my rear to get through an RN program so I can work a day or two a week (for spending money) and spend the rest of my time at home. My mother thinks it will be a waste of a good degree, but my husband and I know that in a way it is like insurance for the future, if something should happen where I have to I can get a full-time job making a fair income.

The other thing to remember too is that the amount of money you will make during that two days a week will be equal to (or close) to what others are making working full-time without a degree. So, no it's not a waste, it's a way for you to work less time and be with the children while taking home close to the same amount of money you would make working full time right now without an education.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

You are taking NCLEX right away, right?

The OP already took NCLEX and passed.

PMHNP10 · Sep 3, 2004

This might not seem very nice, but it is disappointing to hear of some one who took up a spot in a nursing program and then decides they don't want to use it at all. It is nice you don't have to work to keep a roof over your head, but there are many people I know waiting to get into school because they have to get gainful employment, not to mention they want a meaningful job. There are many jobs around here for 7 bucks an hour, but they don't pay the rent or support a family. You are blessed that you are able to make that choice, it's just too bad someone who wanted to work would have liked your spot in school.

I would echo your sentiments if I were the first person on the waiting list for the program in which the OP applied. Of course that would be sour grapes, but I can appreciate what you are saying.

As for the OP I agree with SmilingBluEyes who suggests trying per diem if that's at all possible. I don't know what your situation is, but I'm going to assume that if you are able to stay at home, then you have a significant other who is able to financially support the family. Working a couple days here and there gives you the opportunity to utilize some of the skills you spent a minimum of 2 years developing, but more importantly it gives you some personal spending cash. It allows you to get a few things for yourself or the house, or the kids that you might not have been able to do before, and you can do this without sacrificing your commitment to your children. To me this is a win-win situation.