pregnancy

hollykate · Jan 16, 2006

I think you might find it easier to be pregnant as a student, as you are already used to being a student. Being a student is stressful, but not as stressful as being a new nurse.

Only advice is to take NCLEX before you actually have the baby, once the baby comes it will be hard to do studying!

A friend of mine did this, but it was her second child and her first was a relatively easy pregnancy, so she had less "unknowns"

Good Luck in whatever you decide to do!!!

Happy-ER-RN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

I also would choose to do it now as a student nurse, either that or wait until about 6 months after you start nursing. I know if I had had been pregnant during my first few months as a nurse I would probably be institutionalized right now--there is no way I could have handled the stress of pregnancy at that time. As a student at least you get to spend time sitting in class or laying down and reading. As a nurse you run around all day while stressing out! If you have the baby right after you graduate then you can just wait a few months to look for work (if you can do that financially) and then you will have a great stress free time to spend those precious first few months that you will only get once!

By the way, I have no children, so my advice is not worth much:chuckle

I have been a nurse for about 8 months and we plan to start trying for a baby this summer. I want to get on days first since my body is not adjusting to nights at all.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do!

meesa214 · Jan 18, 2006

If you wait until you start a new job, consider planning it so that you won't be delivering until after your 1st year in that position. That way you will qualify for FMLA and be allowed 12 weeks off from work rather than just the 6-8 weeks you will get otherwise.

PIANISTRN · Jan 18, 2006

Hi everyone! I'm looking for a little advice. I have one more year to go of nursing school and then will try to get a job in med/surg in a major city hospital. I am looking eventually to get into Perioperative nursing but realize I will have to do some med/surg before I enter a program.
My question is this: is it better to try to have my first baby before I start a new job or after. I am thinking about trying to get pregnant my last year of nursing school with the baby due in the summer after I finish. It will give me some time to be home while I'm studying for the NCLEx before I have to start a new job. I am 30 and anxious to start a family. I realize that everything may not go as planned and I may not be able to get pregnant right away or be so sick I need to postpone school but I'm trying to decide if it would be better to be pregnant as a student or as a new nurse. Thanks for your advice.

Hi. When I was in nursing school, I was 30 yrs old. I wanted to have my second baby before I started my new job because I didn't want to just start my "career" and end up being out on maternity leave right away. So my husband and I planned it so I would be graduating when I'm 5 months pregnant. I graduated in December, and took my NCLEX in Feb. and passed. I had the baby April, so by the time I was off of maternity leave I was ready to start my new job. I actually interviewed with the hospital right after I passed my NCLEX and it was good that the new orientation schedule was starting for June. The timing was actually great. So definitely I would try to be pregnant while you are in school. Plus, your first year as a nurse will be

stressful enough and it won't be good for the baby.

kmf2005 · Jan 19, 2006

I just wanted to say that I am (hopefully) starting nursing school in Aug 06. I just got married in August, and we wanted to start a family right away. However, knowing I was going to be in school (not to mention possibly NURSING school), we decided against it.

But, after reading these posts, I can now talk to my husband and maybe we can plan to have a baby in the same time frame as what you all are talking about!

I've only been at this site for about a week now, and everyday I find/learn/use something else from someone on here.

Kinda weird, huh?

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble! :)

Kacy

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 20, 2006

Hi. When I was in nursing school, I was 30 yrs old. I wanted to have my second baby before I started my new job because I didn't want to just start my "career" and end up being out on maternity leave right away. So my husband and I planned it so I would be graduating when I'm 5 months pregnant. I graduated in December, and took my NCLEX in Feb. and passed. I had the baby April, so by the time I was off of maternity leave I was ready to start my new job. I actually interviewed with the hospital right after I passed my NCLEX and it was good that the new orientation schedule was starting for June. The timing was actually great. So definitely I would try to be pregnant while you are in school.
This is my advice too! Have a baby before working if possible. Good luck!

Nursemelo · Jan 21, 2006

I would wait until after you get a job, for the paid maternity leave. But then again we wouldn't be able to pay the bills on just one income

kmf2005 · Jan 21, 2006

Ok, maybe I just heard the wrong thing, but at the clinic my mother works at, FMLA is for 12 weeks, however, the employer doesn't have to pay you for the 12 weeks, but they have got to hold your job for those 12 weeks.

Anyone know the truth? Or is that the truth? Just wondering!

Kacy

labcat01, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Everything said so far is true! Having a baby is so much harder than you think it is going to be. If you don't need health insurance than you should try to have your baby as a student. I'm planning (ha ha) to have my second child at the end of nursing school. I'm hoping it will work out for us. Good luck with whatever you decide :)