Nursing career - how does it fit with having a family?

[secondfiddle]

Hi everyone,

I am (hopefully) beginning an ADN program in the fall. Among many other things that led me to nursing is the demand for RN's, interesting and important nature of the work and my medical background. Also factoring into my choice was that nursing seems to lend itself to more flexibility in hours than a standard 8-5 office job, and eventually has part-time opportunities (very hard to find in most careers).

I am 27 now, and my hub and I do want to eventually have children. I plan to work at least 2 years full-time once I graduate before thinking about pregnancy. I am wondering though, for those of you who have children - how hard is it to juggle your career and your family responsibilities? Do you find that the profession is easier or harder to work with in terms of being a mom as well?

I'm just trying to figure out if I am fooling myself about flexibility in this career. I do believe that a healthy life should be a balance between work/family/personal pursuits (which is why I hated law so much while I was in it). Any perspective on this from personal experiences would be much appreciated. :)

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

:) Hi secondfiddle -

I think as with any career, if you put your family first and learn to say "no" without feeling guilty, you will be headed in the right direction.

Also, there is great flexibility in nursing. I've known and know many nurses who took jobs that made it easier to put their family first. Once your kids are in school, a doctor's office nurse, while not paying great, does have the benefits of 8-5, no holidays and weekends. Also look at free-standing surgery centers. You can work part-time and also have holidays and weekends off.

I stayed home with my kids until they were all in school. Initially I worked full-time but I sacrificed alot of time with my family and missed important events. I'm now working part-time and it is much better.

Just say no - and don't feel guilty.

steph

[UnewmeB4]

I worked 3-11 0r 11-7 while my kids were babies. When they were in school, I went 11-7, and never had to miss a thing.

The best thing is, I get to avoid all the traffic. Even when going home in the morning, most people are headed in the opposite direction. Even then, I lived within a couple miles of where I work, so travel time has never been a big issue with me.

My daughter is a couple years younger, and works as an aid til she is done with nursing school. She LOVES working weekends and evenings. When she has children, she will work around their schedule

To me, this was the best part about nursing is the flexability.

[BETSRN]

Hi everyone,

I am (hopefully) beginning an ADN program in the fall. Among many other things that led me to nursing is the demand for RN's, interesting and important nature of the work and my medical background. Also factoring into my choice was that nursing seems to lend itself to more flexibility in hours than a standard 8-5 office job, and eventually has part-time opportunities (very hard to find in most careers).

I am 27 now, and my hub and I do want to eventually have children. I plan to work at least 2 years full-time once I graduate before thinking about pregnancy. I am wondering though, for those of you who have children - how hard is it to juggle your career and your family responsibilities? Do you find that the profession is easier or harder to work with in terms of being a mom as well?

I'm just trying to figure out if I am fooling myself about flexibility in this career. I do believe that a healthy life should be a balance between work/family/personal pursuits (which is why I hated law so much while I was in it). Any perspective on this from personal experiences would be much appreciated. :)

I was a teacher before I became a nurse. I have two children (adults now). I found nursing to be far MORE flexible than teaching ever was. After you have children, if you can afford to work part-time, evenings is the shift which works great for people with young children. Most evening nurses are people who work part-time.

I think nursing is a wonderful career. Having this career saved my life when my husband left and filed for divorce. It was my job that saved me financially. Nursing is a stable career and lenders are willing to help one with job stability.

I have never regretted moving into nursing as a second career. I will stay with it until I retire. Even then, I can work part time and always find work.