New grad not wanting to work

Dublin37 · Sep 22, 2004

How about just working weekends or one day a week, just to keep fresh? You could even do just summers, at summer camps where your kids get to come for free? Just a thought! Heather

boopchick · Sep 22, 2004

Why not consider working just 1 or 2 shifts per week to maintain your skills while still having the majority of your time to spend with your children?

live4today, RN · Sep 22, 2004

Hmmm...sounds more like post-graduation blues to me. :uhoh21:

If so...the best way to get over that hump is to jump right into your orientation. If you still feel the way you are now halfway through your orientation, at least finish it out, and only sign on for part time. New grads can and do work part time hours. Full time hours don't always work for every nurse (as in your case with little ones you desire to be home with). :)

ysabella · Sep 22, 2004

Hi everyone,
I am a new grad (May 04), and passed boards July 1st. I have 2 kids ages 8 and 3. My son is going into 3rd grade and we just signed a modeling contract for my daughter. I have no desire to start working. I applied at USC and got offered the position as a Trauma nurse and turned it down because I want to stay home with my kids. I feel they need me now.
Am I crazy or do others have the same concerns. I feel I worked so hard to get this degree and now I don't want to use it right now. I will maybe feel different in about 4-6 months. My family thinks I 'm crazy
Please help.
Tara

listen to your heart. whatever makes you happy and you think the circumstances are alright, then go where your heart is. by the way, i'm a nurse from the philippines, 26 yrs old, married with two kids ages 3 and 10 months. 3 yrs experience, medical-surgical. i'm applying for a nursing position in florida. waiting for my immigrant visa to be approved. my agency said i will probably be in florida by early next year. husband and kids will follow 3-6 months after. life will be lonely for a while. but we have to make sacrifices. the economy is not so good in the philippines. i need to find a good future for my kids. being a nurse gives me that chance to improve the quality of life of my family.

being a stay at home mom is also good. i stopped working and stayed home for two years when i had my first baby. it's a good feeling that you get to take care of your kid personally. no other person could give a child the best quality of care but her own mother, right? you won't feel this painful "guilt" associated with being a working mom. you won't have to deal with a baby sitter. there is so much fulfillment in there too. the moments are so precious. you don't miss out on a lot while your kids are younger. there is so much joy when you're always there for your child's needs.

on the other hand, being a working mom have its own advantages. you get to have this "intellectual stimulation" on the work force. everyday you get to learn new things that enhances your career growth. knowledge and skills are always adding up. there's no room for stagnation. your self-esteem will be great. independence, self-reliance, confidence, pride, camaraderie and friendship are some of the things you will gain being a career woman. you get to meet a lot of people, learn ideas. you feel fulfilled in a way.

it really depends on what your needs are. it depends on your expectations of yourself. it depends on the circumstances you are in , and the choices you have. life is always a struggle. we have to deal with challenges along the way. we cannot have everything. all we could do is to make the most of what we have... and count our blessings.

jimwilson8 · Sep 22, 2004

Good for you! Our society is getting away from the more important things like family. A loving family is more important than one's career. In the end what counts it is not what you are but who you are. Your career defines what you are, your family defines who you are. There needs to be a balance so I would encourage you to do some nursing on the side as part-time. May God be with you.

Francine-Anne · Nov 18, 2004

Hi everyone,
I am a new grad (May 04), and passed boards July 1st. I have 2 kids ages 8 and 3. My son is going into 3rd grade and we just signed a modeling contract for my daughter. I have no desire to start working. I applied at USC and got offered the position as a Trauma nurse and turned it down because I want to stay home with my kids. I feel they need me now.
Am I crazy or do others have the same concerns. I feel I worked so hard to get this degree and now I don't want to use it right now. I will maybe feel different in about 4-6 months. My family thinks I 'm crazy
Please help.
Tara

Dear Tara-

Please get into practice ASAP. Your skills and education will become stale.

I worked with young children. It was hard. I worked off shifts part-time and all worked out. I gave up weekends when I could not find a qualified sitter and had their Dad watch them.

Had I stayed out of nursing, I would not be able to return. You're not crazy. But do not throw away the hard work and degree you worked so hard for.

Children grow up and go away eventually.

Francine-Anne

cpgrn · Nov 18, 2004

Why not work in a doctor's office or something during the day - maybe as a sub in the school district one day a week just to stay active? Just a thought.

Nursesuzi · Nov 22, 2004

:imbar :imbar

Hi everyone,
I realize this is kind of old message, but I can't resist. I was a stay at home mom for 11 years, quit nursing school to be home with them, then went back. I agree with you wanting to be home w/the kids, and I think it's very important.
However, You never know what the future holds. I never thought I would be divorced at this stage of my life. I never thought the stock market would crash and my very substantial saving account would be gone. Nursing offers security and independence. Even if you have to work at a nursing home, perdiem 1 day a week, keep your license current and your foot in the water. I hate to be the dark cloud, but really, you just never know what life will bring. And, you went into nursing for a reason. I feel many of us are called to it by a higher power. Think about that, see if you can balance your wanting to stay home and having the security of nursing.
:imbar
I am a new grad (May 04), and passed boards July 1st. I have 2 kids ages 8 and 3. My son is going into 3rd grade and we just signed a modeling contract for my daughter. I have no desire to start working. I applied at USC and got offered the position as a Trauma nurse and turned it down because I want to stay home with my kids. I feel they need me now.
Am I crazy or do others have the same concerns. I feel I worked so hard to get this degree and now I don't want to use it right now. I will maybe feel different in about 4-6 months. My family thinks I 'm crazy
Please help.
Tara

Fiona59 · Nov 22, 2004

If you want to work casual, hospitals will provide the orientation to a new grad. One shift a month will please them after the orientation is done. You just have to be able to say "No, thank you" when staffing office keeps calling and begging.

Besides, you'll need start up money for the daughters portfolio, or treats for the other child to make up for the model getting more mummy time. Been there and trust me sibling rivalry does exist.

mattsmom81 · Nov 22, 2004

If you want to work casual, hospitals will provide the orientation to a new grad. One shift a month will please them after the orientation is done.

In my area this does not occur. If a facility takes the time to support a new grad they generally want more of a committment in return than this. But..never hurts to check it out. Perhaps in the OP's area this would be a possibility. :)

imenid37 · Nov 22, 2004

I am not sure if I understand your situation and exactly why you are staying home. Is it just because you want to or are you trying to let your daughter's modeling career take off? I think even if you wait six months or a year to work, you'll be okay. It may be hard if you wait much longer. You could always work for a year or so and then go prn. best of luck to you! Only you can decide what's best for you and your kids.

acgemt · Nov 22, 2004

That is great that you are putting your family first, however I have to say that it is highly selective to get into nursing school, and I think it is a shame that someone else didn't get a position in your nursing program that truely wants to work right out of school. You have to do what is right for you. I hope you remember all the information you learned in school for when you do begin working